Watching the results at the Women’s National Republican Club

Our reporter Katryna Perera is sending live reports from the Women’s National Republican Club in Midtown Manhattan.

At the Women's National Republican Club (The Ink/Katryna Perrera)
At the Women’s National Republican Club (The Ink/Katryna Perera)

1:19 a.m.

Geoffrey Van Der Hauw is from the Netherlands and decided to come to the election watch party at the WNRC tonight. 

He ran the New York City Marathon on Sunday and said he heard about the watch party through a friend. 

He is a Trump supporter and when asked why, he said he feels that Trump can make more secure.  

“Clinton is corrupt and Trump can make America great again,” said Van Der Hauw. “The hard working people of American have been forgotten. We are watching history being made.” 

11:06 p.m.

Julie Laughlin, a guest at the WNRC watch party in Midtown campaigned for Donald Trump this week by making “get out to vote” phone calls to Pennsylvanians.

She said she made about 1,000 phone calls and that out of the 400 or so people who picked up the phone, only one person said they were not going to vote for Trump.

Pennsylvania has not been called yet but at Clinton is currently leading the state with 49 percent.

Laughlin voted early this morning, getting up at 5:45 a.m. to make sure she was one of the first people in line.

“I want my voice to be heard by someone who agrees with my values,” said Laughlin. “I’ve been praying, praying, praying for the past week.”

Laughlin said the biggest issues for her this election season were the economy, repealing Obamacare and border security.

When asked about her feelings on Hillary Clinton, Laughlin said, “I can’t stand her.”

10:12 p.m.

Despite his run being tainted by allegations of sexual assault and lewd comments against women, Donald Trump has a room full of female supporters at the Women’s National Republican Club in Midtown.

“Hillary Clinton has corrupted the feminist movement by her behavior while Bill Clinton was in office,” said Mary Beth Shea, a guest at the watch party.

Shea voted for Trump and when asked why she feels it’s important to vote she said, “The entire idea of democracy is that we’re in this together…this has been the premise from George Washington.

Shea, a registered New York voter, said she feels her vote won’t count in the state but added that since it was against Hillary Clinton, she would have “voted for a shoe.”

“Donald Trump is an achiever and she [Clinton] is a deceiver,” said Shea.

Mary, another guest at the event who didn’t want to give her last name, boasts a “Make American Great Again” cap.

She said she liked Trump’s honesty and feels that Trump spoke up about issues that most people are afraid of bringing up.

“He said many things that no one said before and even if he’s not politically correct it’s a balance,” she said.

9:15 p.m.

The ballroom of the Women’s National Republican Club headquarters in Midtown is filled with members and guests waiting to hear the results of 2016 Presidential Election.

The tables where guests sit are draped with white tablecloths and decorated with American flags, while waiters dressed in black-tie attire move seamlessly around the room serving hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The three large screens at the front of the room are all tuned to Fox News where political analysts and anchors discuss tonight’s race.

At the moment, Donald Trump is in the lead with 139 electoral votes. The crowd cheers as each state for Trump is called while booing when Clinton victories are announced.

A few members don “Make America Great Again” hats, and some wave Trump-Pence signs from their tables.

George, a meteorologist from New Jersey who would not give his last name, came to the Republican club headquarters to watch the election results with a friend. He says his mother encouraged him to find a Republican event in New York City tonight.

He voted for Trump today and says it only took him five minutes.

“I always vote; it gives you some participation in government,” he says.

Asked if he felt his vote for Trump counted in a traditionally blue state George says, “I felt my vote was wasted but the fact that I did it, I would have waited two hours, and that’s what it’s all about.”