Media Roll with the Punches During Election Night

By Natalie Ortiz

KLBK reporter Leslie Adami described the 2016 presidential election coverage for the KLBK and KAMC news duopoly as “chaotic.”

Adami covered the Lubbock County Democrats watch party. This was Adami’s third time covering an election, but her first time without help from one of the station’s photographers.

“Being a [multimedia journalist] means you have to shoot everything by yourself,” Adami said. “You have to make sure everything is in focus. You have to make sure everything looks good all while you’re conducting an interview.”

Despite several challenges in covering the election last night, Adami enjoyed the experience.

The Hub@TTU reporter Blaine Hill at the GOP election night party. Justin Rex/The Hub@TTU

“As a voter, it’s awesome to see the energy, no matter whether I voted Democrat or Republican,” Adami said.

One setback Adami faced was after she filmed a “look-live” from the watch party reporting Clinton’s tie to Trump in Texas. Shortly after, she found out the results had changed.

The final presidential election results showed Trump winning by a less-than-10 percent margin in Texas.

Stuart Williams, West Texas for Hillary coordinator, said long-term changes are evident in the Lone Star State.

“We have made a statement in how close it was in Texas, and I think that that’s something that the Republican party is going to have to look at as they go forward,” Williams said. “This state is competitive. For both parties.”

Angelica Lopez attended the Lubbock County Democrats watch party with her young daughter Araceli. Both were excited to see Clinton tied with Trump in their home state of Texas when CNN reported a tie.

“I have a daughter, so, of course, you know, that’s something that you want to happen in our country … a woman president,” Lopez said.

Unfortunately for the Lopez family, the news did not bear this out.