We asked, you answered: How do you feel about the 2024 election results

Our newsletter readers shared their thoughts on the outcome of the pivotal 2024 presidential election.

Because we live in a democracy, we had an opportunity Tuesday to have our say about who represents us in Harrisburg and Washington. While maybe the results aren’t what you had hoped for, the elections were safe, fair, and secure, and mostly went off without a hitch.

The afternoon after Election Day, we asked our newsletter readers how they felt about the outcome. Read on to see what your fellow Pennsylvanians had to say.

(Answers have been edited for length and clarity).

“Election anxiety became real to me for the first time. My family members were so passionate over their choices, they didn’t agree, and the ones who “lost” felt that defeat so deeply. The election has caused such a conflict for my family. As a country I just do not know how we reached such a divide; hatred for another’s view. Being a democracy and having the freedom to make choices is at our fundamental core. Americans need to remember compassion, and unconditional love for our brothers and sisters. We need peace.”

-Christina Radel, Williamstown

“I’m very sad about the election. I don’t believe that there is decency in the Republican party. However dark this sounds, I believe we are following the Romans down their path to elimination as a culture.”

-Keller, Washington County

“Absolutely sick to my stomach and scared as all hell.”

-Sylvia Lessly, Swarthmore

“Heartbroken. We aren’t the USA any longer, we’re something else. I’m not sure what we are but half the country supports authoritarianism and fascism. It feels like Hungary, with nicer things. 

“Trump, Musk, Kennedy…MAGA America will get what they voted for. Will they see the demise of their decision? I doubt it. They couldn’t see the felon getting complete immunity, the Supreme Court getting stacked, and the hatred toward others who are not like them. When Trump’s America gets hit with what they’ve done—no books, no vaccines, no government, censored school education, gagged health care, no one to pick their field foods, higher prices with tariffs, foreign policy disasters, and potential war—they will be proud and not sad.”

-Kathleen Kovalik, Munhall 

“I am bitterly disappointed.”

-Suzanne Rhodes, Elizabethtown

“We are very happy to see Trump win. We need his help now. We are seniors.”

-Barbara C., Camp Hill

“Horrified, sad, distraught, hopeless, and terrified!  If I did not have grandchildren I would move to Europe or another industrialized country where sane people reside.”

-Elizabeth Fuller, Albrightsville

“I’m from Chester County and I am utterly disappointed by the results of this election.  How the American public can look past his history of abuse, hate, criminal activity, etc. Is beyond me.  This marks the beginning of the American collapse.” 

-Doug Anderson, Chester County

“Very disappointed in the election results. Disgusted with my fellow Pennsyvanians.” 

-Sharon Wilson, Northampton County

“I am stunned at Trump’s presidential win, stunned and ashamed. I cannot believe that in a nation where a felon cannot serve in the Armed Forces, he can run for President and win. I would never point to Trump as someone kids can look up to. He is not someone I can look up to or admire. I marvel that he was able to pull so many voters to his side. When lies, theft, and dehumanizing women beat truth, education, and knowledge, America is in a sorry, sorry state.”

–Nancy K. Wallace, Lawrence County

“I am very happy with the results. Change in government is a good thing.”

-Chet Fragassi, Southwestern Pa.

“In shock, very disappointed and heavy-hearted. Trump has shown his true colors before, and will use the presidency to wipe his record clean. Extremely disappointed in the majority voters at large. This criminal will not be protecting me or my body. Looking forward to a Democratic landslide in 2028 when everyone wakes up. In the meantime, I’ll be in my bunker.”

-Jennifer, Edinboro

“I’m so glad that Trump won. He’s been slandered, unjustly prosecuted, and almost killed. God bless America and God bless President Trump! By the way, I’m a registered Democrat.”

-Pete Hundiak, Pittsburgh

“How can the people in this country elect a felon, liar, twice-impeached, racist person to represent this wonderful country? How can any woman vote against herself? Do they not know the history about the brave women over a century ago who courageously fought for women’s rights? Apparently not. I pray for the younger women who worry about starting a family.”

-Name withheld, York

“The biggest emotion I’m feeling is relief that Election Day was relatively calm, and that there were no big riots or demonstrations like some large cities were getting ready for.”

-Donna, Erie

“I feel so sad and kind of hopeless. My daughter says she now doesn’t want to have children because she fears if she has any complications with the pregnancy, the doctors would let her die because of Roe vs. Wade being overturned and doctors fearing breaking the law. I just can’t believe that there are so many people who want him as their leader.”

-Joanne, Lemoyne

“I am shocked that so many people follow Trump. He’s a convicted felon, he wants to strip women’s rights away, and quite frankly does not understand our country.”

-Trish Dow, White Haven

“I feel very thankful that Trump won. Kamala claimed Biden did great, wouldn’t change anything, then said it was time to change everything, but never said how. It was confusing. At least with Trump, we know where he stands.”

-Jessica Vasquez, Elizabethtown

“I am devastated with the results. I am more scared than ever about who will be in charge of my country. Saddest day ever.” 

-Carole, Stroudsburg

“It’s hard to believe that not only did Harris lose the election but so did Susan Wild and it looks like Bob Casey will too. I am concerned about who Trump is gathering around him like RFK Jr. and Elon Musk for starters. There is danger in having an anti-vaxxer in charge of anything regarding health and the United States is not a company under your complete control.”

-Mary Ann, Bethlehem

“Sick. Absolutely awful.”

-Winter Morris, Lansdale

“I am disgusted, dismayed, fearful, and angry about the election results. If I could live somewhere else with rational, educated people, I would. I live among many narrow-minded, bigoted citizens, many who claim to be good Christians.”

-Suzanne Woodring, Waynesboro

“I am afraid for anyone who is not a wealthy cis male WASP. I feel we have turned the country back to the 19th century or worse. This is not the country I grew up loving and supporting, and I fear it will only get worse. We’ve seen the start of it with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, where the mortality rate of newborns and mothers has risen. But what the heck, they’re only women, right? And in this new world order our country is entering we all know that they don’t matter. Neither do the newborns. They only matter before they are born, after they are just another whining mouth to feed.”

-Dennis, Hatfield

“I feel like I can breathe again for the first time in four years. I am so proud of Pennsylvania for showing up in such a big way to save democracy. I truly hope we can now heal as a nation and move forward for the good of America.” 

-Dave H., Erie 

“I was ecstatic. President-elect Trump will do what he promised for ALL Americans, regardless of race, sex, or any other demographic.”

-Julie Lawver, Lower Allen Township

“Totally devastated and depressed!”

-Lillian, Downingtown

“Would have liked the presidency to go the other way since my party had nominated a jerk.  Would have liked the Senate to be Dems with at least a majority of one. I’m okay with the House since the speaker will be as sensible as possible with a jerk president of the same party. Split legislature would help keep a better balance between extreme left and right program movement. Hopefully, Trump will realize he has a chance during the next four years to leave a good moderate record for current and future historians and not let the extreme right of his party set the course.”

-John Siewert, Lancaster

“On one hand, I was happy to see the huge turnout at every polling place I drove past yesterday.  As to the results, I’m terribly disappointed, especially with the presidential election. I realize American politics swing back and forth between left and right repeatedly. I also realize that neither candidate would have been able to eliminate the polarization we feel in our society.  But Trump thrives on polarization, exaggeration, and humiliation. What bothers me is that we’ve been down this road before and dealt with a president who is perfectly willing to bend or break the few rules he truly understands. I also think he is increasingly vindictive and unhinged. I don’t get how people can ignore so much about the man, or even worse, be attracted to his style of governing.  And now, with a Republican Senate and a stacked Supreme Court, I’m fearful. I see an increasingly isolationist, tribal, intolerant trend that worries me for my children and grandchildren.  I’m 73, so I can put up with whatever I have to in my remaining years. But the extended future? I’m not terribly optimistic.”

-MSW, Sinking Spring

“I am terribly disappointed in the American people and shocked by all the women who allowed this to happen. I am praying that the next four years pass by without the hate, distrust, and exclusion we have seen in the past from this person with such shaky morals and ethics. With those prayers comes the hope that at some point all of you who voted this terrible human being into office do not suffer with the weight of that decision when this guy does something as terrible as he has done in the past or God forbid worse.” 

-Danette Ryan, Bethlehem

“I am disappointed in the election results. But I would encourage all of us to put all our negative feelings behind us as quickly as we can and start to look up and look ahead.

“First, we can be glad the democratic process worked the way it is supposed to, even if we’re not happy with the outcome. And we know that this time there will be a peaceful transfer of power. What a relief!

“Second, just as George H.W. Bush spoke of a “1,000 points of light,” urging citizens to become engaged in community service, we Harris voters can become over 67 million points of light as engaged citizens. What might that look like?

“For starters, we can be models of patience, care and kindness in our own homes, neighborhoods and communities. We can show respect and thoughtfulness, even when we disagree, as we continue to pay attention and stay engaged. We can be positive role models for those who will become disillusioned with the leaders they just elected and for young people just becoming eligible to vote. By the mid-term elections in 2026 we can be more than 70 million points of light. And by 2028, who knows?

“We have little time to despair. There is good work to be done. And we’re the ones being called to do it.”

-Chuck Manners, Lancaster

“Absolutely sick, numb… outraged that a majority would vote for that subhuman.”

-Tom Sulpizio, North Wales

“I am worried about the results of the election but trying to stay positive. It wasn’t the end of the world the last time Trump was elected and I am confident it isn’t the end of the world this time, either. My biggest concerns with this election were on reproductive rights, and while I have some concerns about our House and Senate representation in regards to this issue, I am somewhat confident that there are at least no plans to change any laws around the issue within Pennsylvania.”

-W.H., Hanover

“I feel awful! Not only am I shocked that Donald Trump won, but that my fellow Americans, neighbors, friends, and relatives are willing to elect someone who lies, cheats, steals, treats women with such disrespect, and calls his opponent such awful names along with dissing other Americans. My heart is broken and I worry for our democracy and how we go on from here.”  

-Cindy Pierson, Erie

“Extremely depressed. As a realtor, I have been reminded by my colleagues that I should be very happy. I am not, at all.  With rates already trending down, he is prime to pick up an economy that is already moving in the right direction after a pandemic that killed it.  Also, while some of the states had encouraging results on the topic of abortion, in many states women have less rights today than we did just a few years ago. I look at the young women today and feel an enormous sense of dread over what we have done to them.”

-Shahla Davies, Lehigh Valley

“I am a 69-year-old white male living in Chester County. I am ashamed of my fellow citizens and disgusted that a campaign based on fear and hatred prevailed. However, I am proud of the vote results in Chester County. Since the next step for Trump is the initiation of Project 2025, I have contacted and volunteered for the ACLU. There is no time for grief or self pity. The war to save our democracy begins today.”

-Joe Frye, Wayne

“I am sad, disappointed, fearful, and angry. I have a special needs son that I am worried about. There seems to be no caring for special needs children nor other marginalized groups in the Republican Party and all our allies were just voted out of office in the state.”

-Maggie Dunham, Bucks County

“I am depressed by the election results. This Republican wave is a disaster. The public’s delusional refusal to recognize Trump’s malevolent and criminal conduct and its willingness to accept blatant lies about immigrants and distortions about the economy, can only mean the forces of fear, greed, anger, resentment, racism, white supremacy, and stupidity are in control of this country. We have erased decades of progress toward a more healthy, happy and just society.” 

-David Richie, Wyomissing

“I think the results of this election are a sad day for women and a sad day for our country.”

-Sandy Ludwig , Delaware County 

“I cannot understand the thinking of people who elected Trump, who incited the attacks on our nation’s capital where numerous people were injured and died. This is just so wrong for so many reasons. He is just unfit as a human being to represent our great nation.”

-Bill Young, Unityville