On election night, members of the Republican Party gathered to witness the triumphs and disappointments of the election.

Shannon Grove, who was re-elected that night, described the results that night as a mix of disappointment and success.

“I was kind of disappointed [that Romney didn’t win,]” she said. “In my race, I’m pleased.

“I want to thank Kern County voters for sending me back to the state assembly and I’m glad we re-elected Kevin McCarthy.”

McCarthy who was re-elected as Congressman, California State Senator Jean Fuller, and Grove were some of the notable supporters of the Republican Party that converged at the Downtowner Expo Event Center.

Grove described herself as “blessed” to be able to continue to serve Kern County.

“I’m honored,” she said. “I really am.

“To be able to represent such a magnificent county and all these constituents that voted to put me in office and I’ll just continue to do what they want me to do, to represent our county and our principles.”

Grove described her plans for her upcoming term.

“My plans are to expose government, the stuff that goes on in government that is not transparent, to make government live under the same rules they require for us in the private sector,” she said. “My hope is to continue to expose government for what it is.”

Terry Maxwell, who won his Ward Two City Council seat that night, describes the night as “ups and downs.”

“The deflating part of tonight is how the presidential election ended up,” he said. “We’re all Republicans.

“We would have liked to see a change. We have to wake up tomorrow morning and be committed to some of the things we have to do.”

Maxwell ran for office in order to represent “the people.”

“The best government is government closest to the people,” he said. “That’s why I ran for city council.

“I would like to think we can change things in Bakersfield. We can make the politicians and the political process more responsive to what the citizens need.”