Republicans Hope for Unity in a Divided Nation

By Jacob Clavijo – Staff Writer and Ellie Simmers- Assistant News Editor

While Fox News’ coverage of the 2024 Presidential Election played in the background, a group of Lynchburg Republicans gathered at La Villa, periodically checking the screen for any news on the state of the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Virginia State Senator Mike Peake addressing attendees of the Republican watch party at La Villa, Nov. 5, 2024. Photo by Jacob Clavijo.

“There should be no room for hate right now because we’re all human beings,” said Lynchburg Republican City Committee Chairwoman Veronica Bratton.

Bratton praised Trump’s ability to reach across the aisle and unify both politicians and members of the public, mentioning key figures such as Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“He brought in people who typically vote Democrat,” Bratton said. “I think he’s done a great job of crossing over and pulling people in and saying ‘here’s our common denominator’.”

“I know that the Republican Party has changed a lot. I mean, basically, we’ve taken on, I think, more of a faith perspective and more focused on righteousness,” said Martha Cashel, a local therapist, who noted that her faith had drawn her to this event and to the Republican party as a whole. 

Multiple local Republican politicians and candidates were also in attendance, such as State Senator Mike Peake, Lynchburg City Councilmember Mike Misjuns, Ward I candidate Jacqueline Timmer, Ward II candidate Rodney Hubbard, and Ward III candidate Curt Diemer. 

Republican candidates Timmer and Diemer won their respective seats, while Hubbard lost to his opponent, Democrat Sterling Wilder.

State Senator Peake shared his thoughts on how Trump should address the nation after he is sworn into office.

“I would like to see him recognize that we are a very large and diverse country,” Sen. Peake said.

Virginia State Senator Mike Peake and a guest discuss the 2024 election results, Nov. 5, 2024. Photo by Jacob Clavijo

While Trump has their full support, some members of the GOP wish that he would use less divisive rhetoric, stating that it can turn away some voters.

“I wish he would be more clear for everybody, even for the Hispanics in this country,” said Michael DiGiovanni, the owner of La Villa.

Sen. Peake also expressed discontent with the Democrats’ rhetoric during the campaign.

“Some of the language at the end came from Biden,” said Sen. Peake, referring to President Joe Biden’s ‘garbage’ comments against Trump supporters.

A woman who only identified herself as, “The Garbage Lady,” while showing off her costume, referenced President Biden’s comments earlier this month, calling Trump supporters “garbage,” saying, “Comments like Biden’s are why they tried to hurt Trump.

The homemade costume of “The Garbage Lady” at the Lynchburg Republicans watch party. Taken by Ellie Simmers

Craig Wallwork, a retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel, was also focused on the rhetoric of both parties and the divisiveness of the 2024 election season. 

“I think the national election, in respect, that the Democratic candidate for president and vice president, as well as their surrogates, have been so mean-spirited about, you know, democracy. They’re saying democracy will fail if Trump gets elected. He’s already been president once,” said Wallwork, referencing the frequent mentions of the January 6 riots by the Democratic party. 

Despite the high tensions throughout the nation, attendees are optimistic about the country’s future under President-elect Donald Trump.

“I think right now it’s divided because of the parties, because they see themselves as Democrat or Republican,” DiGiovanni said. “Eventually the country gonna be united back again.”

In what ended up being a successful evening for the Republican party, both nationally, with the White House and the Senate turning red, and locally, with two out of three of the Republican City Council seats turning red, one thing was consistent between all the attendees: America is a country worth fighting for. 
To see results from this year’s local and national elections, visit the Associated Press.