Democratic watch party: 631 S. Sprigg, 9 p.m.; Nov. 6

Democrats gathered from all over the Cape Girardeau area for a watch party Nov. 6 at 631 S Sprigg St. in Cape Girardeau for the 2018 Midterm Elections.

This election saw a major push from Democrats to take back the U.S. Senate from the Republicans, labeled by some as the “blue wave.”

A lot of Democrats at the party had their eye on the Senate spot up for grabs by incumbent Claire McCaskill. Republican opponent Josh Hawley was ultimately victorious.

Brian Allerding attended the watch party and said he believed that McCaskill would win her race.

Allerding supported most of the ballot initiatives but was hesitant about the gasoline tax increase.

“With certain conditions, it can be changed at any point, so they can move that money anywhere they feel like it,” Allerding said.

Allerding was also in attendance as a protester outside of President Donald Trump’s rally on Monday night in Cape Girardeau.

Johnathan Kessler, Cape Girardeau Democratic chairperson of the 8th congressional district, said he believed that Trump’s rally had an effect on voter turnout.

“I think it had an effect both ways. He plays on the emotions of people,” Kessler said.

State representative District 147 candidate Renita Green also attended the party to watch the results. She said she thought the turnout for the party was great.

“I think there are more people here at the watch party than the one in 2016 for the presidential

election,” Green said. She said she was unsure if she would win when she left the party early to watch it in the comfort of her own home.

Raymond Melton from MOHemp was there to support Amendment 2, an initiative that would legalize medical marijuana. Melton was against Proposition C.

“What I don’t like about it is that I know, that legislatures can go in and change things without

consulting with the people and going through the court,” Melton said.

Melton, who is originally from Kansas City, came to Cape Girardeau because a college friend who had cancer asked him to come to Cape to help her.

“You can’t spell healthcare without THC,” Melton said.