KENTUCKY — When results are finalized, only one candidate will win the presidential election, and no matter the result, emotions may run high. So, how do we move forward from it? Spectrum News 1 spoke to a Republican and Democrat to try and answer that question.
Curt Husdon chairs Bullitt County’s Republican Party of Kentucky chapter and works in IT for a healthcare company.
“I think my values … I’ve always had conservative values even before I was political, whether it be immigration, taxes, abortion,” said Hudson.
Seth Hall chairs Oldham County’s Kentucky Democrats chapter and is a senior director that helps recover Medicaid funds.
“You can question who’s been president over the years, some of their decision, some of their policies, but they’ve always taken us and moved us forward, and I don’t feel like that’s happening today,” responded Hall.
Both, for two years, have chaired their political party’s county chapter, so both voted for different candidates this election. Hudson voted for President Donald Trump, and Hall voted for Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
While they voted for different candidates, both Hudson and Hall said their political views haven't come between their personal relationships this election.
“With me, it probably came with age. When you’re younger, you are always right. I don’t have to agree with what Nancy Pelosi says, matter fact, quite frankly, I don’t agree with almost anything she says. However, if my neighbor likes her, fantastic,” Hudson said. “If that’s what you really like, let’s have a conversation if you want. And if you don’t, I’m okay. I’ll just I’ll rake my yard. I’ll mow my grass. I’ll walk over, and we’ll talk about how the Cowboys are doing, the Yankees [are] doing, and the Reds [are] doing. I have no problem with that.”
Hall takes a similar approach.
“I’m not too confrontational about politics,” Hall explained. “Because that’s what America is about, it’s about working things out and working together.”
Hudson and Hall are confident their candidate will win, but one or the other will lose.
“If Trump wins, he is everyone’s president. Just like when Obama won, he was everybody’s president. Whether you liked it or not, I didn’t scream. I didn’t carry on. I didn’t fall down in the middle of New York City screaming at the top of my lungs. I accepted it. We found better candidates, and we won,” Hudson said.
Hall urges Republicans, in the event of Trump losing his reelection bid, to "peacefully transfer the power."
“If the Republicans do not win, I think they need to graciously, like all past presidents who did not win the election, concede and peacefully transfer the power,” Hall said.
Hudson stressed that he respects the office of the president, even if Joe Biden assumes that office.
“You may not respect the person, but you are going to respect the office. You know, I didn’t respect Barack Obama as a person, but I respect the office. And I would highly expect that. And then, on day two, you go out and start finding candidates that can win,” Hudson explained.
Hall holds his own party to the same standard of peacefully conceding should Biden lose.
Both men may have voted for different candidates, but both seem to agree on one thing. Whichever candidate wins or loses, there's still work ahead.
“Every vote counts up until the end. So work hard until the very end, and, then, if your candidate wins, fantastic. You did a great job, but, you know what? If you’re like me, you’re getting ready for the next one. Already. You have to,” Husdon said.
Hall had a similar message.
”We have no choice but to continue on and to continue on trying to promote good people to win elections, and I’ll continue on the good work,” he said.