Candidates will put in the final hours of work Election Day, but former candidates said the emotional fatigue of the final hours can be the hardest part of the campaign.
Former Cookeville City Council member Jim Woodford said he views election day as more stressful than the months of campaigning because of the emotional weight of the process.
“It’s strenuous, a mental, that, you know, that did I do everything I could?” Woodford said. “Did I not reach certain people? It’s, you know, it’s one of those things that you’d like to be positive, but you’re always prepared, you know, for a negative result.”
Former Cookeville Mayor Dwight Henry said his political experience includes serving three terms on the City Council and one term as a state representative. Henry said the campaigning experience allows a candidate to feel the heartbeat of the community.
“It is a bundle of mixed emotions,” Henry said. “One part of you says, ‘Well, you know, we’ve left it all out there, we’ve knocked on the doors, we’ve done the advertising, we’ve shook the hands, we’ve been to the places.’ And you just feel like you’ve, you know, a part of you just kind of depleted emotionally and physically, and a sense of relief.”
Henry said candidates who lose an election face a choice between becoming better or bitter as they reflect on the experience.
Former Cookeville Mayor Matt Swallows said the experience of waiting for election results is defined by a persistent sense of uncertainty regardless of what polling data might suggest.
“Well, I mean, it is personal. Because I mean you look at it like well why don’t they like me, you know? Or were they lying to me or not telling me the truth or what? You know, it’s personal. It’s like, well, I guess not enough people like me, is kind of is a takeaway I had when I lost,” Swallows said. “And of course if it’s your family, I mean think about it, if you know, if your child was running, you know, as a grown up adult child running and you’re the parent, I mean how much would that hurt you if you saw them lose, you know?”
Woodford said said he won his 2010 election after initially believing he had lost the race on election night. Woodford said the public did not realize the initial radio reports only included votes cast on election day and excluded early or mail-in ballots.
“I had friends and myself included went to bed that night thinking I didn’t get elected,” Woodford said. “Then when people started hearing the next morning’s radio broadcast, I had won. I’d edged out the other candidate by having more votes in early voting. So, it was a, you know, a real downer the night before, but it was a revelation the next day that I I got elected.”
Henry said he used to hand out “Oh Henry” candy bars while campaigning to ensure voters remembered his name.
“You know, you can’t help but take it personally a little bit, you know, particularly if you come out on the short end of it,” Henry said. “You’ve put months into it, as you said earlier. You’ve put money into it. You’ve had friends of yours that have put their time, effort, energy, and finances to it. And if you come out on the short end, you can, you know, it’s a kind of thing that, and I’ve been on both sides of that, and it’s your choice. It can make you better or it can make you sort of bitter, like ‘Oh, what happened? Why didn’t I get elected?’ Or you can take that as an experience to say, ‘Okay, if I do this again, what have I learned from this experience? What can I do the next time?’ Or was this just something for me to experience and maybe not get elected to this office, but it’s a lesson I can learn later in life.”
Henry said the intense pressure of the final day of a campaign often leaves candidates unable to sleep despite their physical exhaustion.
“At the end of the day, that particular day, you’re just ready to really go to bed,” Henry said. “But in spite of that, you can’t sleep because of the emotions of the months ahead. But it’s something that it’s a wonderful experience like no other to offer yourself for public service, and if you’re successful in doing that, to serve the public that way. But it’s one that it touches every emotion, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. It just grabs your whole life for a period of time.”
Henry said candidates should stay present and express appreciation to their supporters regardless of the election results.
Swallows said the day is often spent mentally reviewing every interaction with voters and hoping that supporters are able to overcome daily obstacles to reach the polls.
“I mean, you’re never ever certain or feel probably you don’t ever feel good about it, no matter what the numbers say, because you know, you just never know,” Swallows said. “And you go through your head and you start thinking of all the people you met and the people who say they’re going to vote for you, and you know, you hope they’re telling the truth.”
Swallows said he managed his own nervous energy by visiting various voting precincts throughout the day. Swallows said he spent that time checking on the well-being of family members and friends who volunteered to sit at the polls.