For A-plus Writer Only
PSPA 4080
Capstone
Virtual Community
Week 6
The speeches have been made, the issues have been debated, and now the votes have been cast! Proceed directly to the Action News 7 Studio for live breaking news of election results. Did your favorite candidate come out on top?
Action News 7
Miles Johnson: Welcome back to our live election night coverage! I’m Miles Johnson and sitting here with me tonight is James Grant. James, I know you were out earlier this evening at the polling stations. What was the energy like for voters today?
James Grant: Well, Miles, I think they were pretty excited. This is obviously a big election and all indications point to the fact that the current Mayor Taylor will be defeated after his family has been in power for almost a quarter century. Now what we don’t know at this point is whether Alec Coppel or Mary Davenport will be taking that top spot. Exit polling data seems to favor Davenport at this time, but as you know those numbers aren’t completely reliable.
Miles Johnson: That’s true. And we do have official numbers so far from 15% of the precincts that put Coppel and Davenport neck and neck at 40%. That of course means that Mayor Taylor is running a distant third at 20%. His strongest districts have not yet reported but even with a massive turnout in those areas, it is fairly certain that he probably will not have a shot at winning tonight’s election.
Hold on a minute, I’m actually getting word now that the Mayor is about to make a statement so lets go live to his election night party headquarters at the New Harbor Plaza…
Samuel Taylor: Good evening. It has been a great pleasure serving as your mayor for the last four years. We have faced many struggles together but faced them bravely and with the best intentions. Tonight though, it all comes to a close. Unfortunately for me and my wonderful supporters, the end of the road has come. All data points to me not being victorious tonight so I have just called both Councilman Coppel and Mrs. Davenport to wish them luck and concede my defeat. I look forward to working with whoever comes out on top tonight in the transition period and smoothly handing off the responsibility of taking care of our great city. I’m sure I’ll have more to say in the morning but until then, thank you all for your undying support and God bless you!
Miles Johnson: Wow. It truly is the end of an era tonight. Mayor Taylor just conceded the race to his two opponents thus ending a 24-year reign of the Taylor family in the mayor’s mansion.
James Grant: You’re right, Miles. This is absolutely incredible. I don’t think anyone even saw this as even a possibility six months ago but yet here it is unfolding right before our eyes.
Miles Johnson: Hold on a minute… I’ve just been handed a massive new set of numbers here…and with 70% of the precincts now reporting we are ready to call the race for Independent candidate Mary Davenport! With 43% of the vote she has taken a substantial lead over Alec Coppel who now stands at 30% just barely above Mayor Taylor’s 27% - no doubt increased by the precincts that were strongly favored going in his direction this election evening.
This is truly a historic election for New Harbor. Not only is Mary Davenport the first third-party candidate elected to the mayor’s office, she is also the first woman as well as the youngest candidate ever.
As can be expected, the crowds of her supporters are going wild with this news of victory.
And I’m sure we can expect to hear from both Mr. Coppel and Mayor-Elect Davenport anytime now so let’s take a quick break as we tabulate more results and await her victory speech. Please stay with us for more coverage of this monumental election night!