Election Night at the Parker Campaign Party

The celebration officially began with “Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night” by the Black Eyed Peas as Annise Parker supporters packed tightly in a small ballroom in the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Groups of friends and strangers began to huddle together as if they were planning their next play on fourth down and goal. Whispers and signs of excitement began to spread through the room like an epidemic as Parker’s lead grew.

Some could not believe what they were about to witness. Other joked around and asked friends to pinch them … so they would know they were not dreaming. The tension began to ease after 10PM when Gene Locke conceded the race and called for unity in Houston.

The historic nature of the night could be felt and it was intoxicating. Gilbert Andrew Garcia took the podium and energized the crowd. He reminded the audience that Houstonians had elected Annise Parker not once but seven times.
Garcia directed everyone to view a video montage of the Parker campaign year and the room obediently turned their head to one of the two screens.

Then, the room was showered with red, white and blue confetti and the room in unison cheered for the victor as Annise Parker entered the room with a smile that evoked genuine happiness.

Parker began her humble victory speech by joking around about being “proud to be the first .... the very first graduate of Rice University to be elected Mayor of Houston.”

The crowd departed their own ways home. Some continued the celebration elsewhere other just headed home after an exhausting day that began at 7AM that Election Day.

It was indeed a good night for the Parker campaign.