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Politics & Government

UPDATED: Republican Celebration Underway for Bono Mack, Nestande

The contingent is still waiting on results for the local Congressional and Assembly races, after being disappointed by President Obama's victory.

Final update:

Just before midnight, after the hall had emptied out, Bono Mack addressed the few media who remained. She was backed up by supporters who cheered and waived signs.

"It's a tight race, we were expecting a tight race," Bono Mack said. "We're also used to kind of slow races. The results kind of trickle out slowly here. But you know, we're in for the long haul. It's a spirited race, a close race but still feeling very optimistic. Of course a night like this you'd like to have it over sooner rather than later and have a huge number but that's not the case it's a tight race, and again we're feeling very optimistic."

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bono Mack also discussed the presidential race:

"Of course I'm saddened. I think the popular vote was quite close. Big fan of Mitt Romney's I think he ran a very great campaign, I think he's a great man. But the country saw it differently. Regardless of who was going to win the presidency we're in for a tough couple months still in congress and certainly a tough four years ahead of us. A lot of tough things have to be tackled, the debt, deficit, spending, national security, jobs, we better really get a handle on those things very quickly, the next presidents going to have a tough job."

Find out what's happening in Palm Desertwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

12 a.m.

Assemblyman Nestande spoke to Patch prior to the hall clearing out, stating he'd stay up for a couple more hours tracking his race:

"I'm glad that I have a comfortable lead at this point but we'll wait for the final results but it seems as if I have a good lead right now. And nationally, yeah it didn't go our way, and we come back and continue to fight. That's politics. You win some, you lose some."

10 p.m.

The volume on the T.V. was turned up for Mitt Romney's concession speech. People are still milling about as the congressional race is still too close to call, but most of the tables are empty now. 

9:15 p.m.

Bono Mack came out to a loud ovation and addressed the crowd. She's prepared for a long night. The congresswoman capped off her welcome to the crowd by adding "I think Ohio is too close to call. I'm surprised the media did it."

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The election night celebrations for Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Palm Springs) and Assemblyman Brian Nestande are underway at Rancho Las Palmas in Rancho Mirage. 

It was a party atmosphere until the room went quite for about 15 minutes after it was shown on the T.V. that President Obama was declared victorious in his bid for reelection.

Naturally, the one and only T.V. in the conference room is tuned to Fox News.

The excitement picked back up after an announcement was made that Bono Mack and Nestande hold narrow leads in their respective races.

Stay tuned for more from Rancho Las Palmas.

Be sure to track the results of all local races through our real-time updated coverage here.

Related:

Find out what the Democrats were up to on election night here.

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