James Mache said he was very happy with Tuesday night’s election results, but he was also somewhat surprised by the outcome.

Mache made the comments during a random man-on-the-street interview.

“There’s strong polarization in the country now,” he said. “We need to get together in unity.”

“Clinton and Obama were very pleased with Trump’s speech last night. I was heartened by it.”

Pat Smith said she was fully surprised by the presidential election results.

She cautioned everyone needs to wait and see how things will work out.

Jeramie Batiste, on the other hand, said he didn’t keep up with the election, so he really didn’t care who made it.

“As long as they make a big difference in economics that’s all I care about,” he said.

The close national election reflected some close local elections. Nationally, Republican Donald Trump clinched the election with 279 electoral votes versus Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 228 electoral votes.

In other races, the election for Jefferson County Sheriff between Democrat Zena Stephens and Republican Ray Beck was back and forth through the night until the final results.

Stephens came in with 44,566 votes or 51.40 percent of the total ballots cast and Beck brought in 42,135 votes or 48.60 percent of the ballots cast.

In Jefferson County, the leading presidential candidates, with 42,828 — 48.92 percent — voting for the Donald Trump-Mike Pence Republican ticket and 42,404 — 48.44 percent — voting for the Hillary Clinton-Tim Kane Democratic ticket for a difference of 424 votes in the county.

Of the 149,317 registered voters in Jefferson County, 88,796 cast ballots for a turnout of 59.47 percent.

Significant numbers of county voters cast votes for straight party tickets. Republicans received 24,598 straight party votes for 42 percent of the vote. Democrats received 33,639 straight party votes for 57.22 percent of the vote.

For the race for Congressional District 14, incumbent U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Webster, defeated Democratic challenger Michael Cole 159,061 votes or 62 percent to 97,696 votes or 38 percent.

In Jefferson County those numbers were much closer with Weber’s 51 percent and Cole’s 49 percent.

Incumbent State Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Montgomery County, was re-elected with 101,923 votes for 86 percent. Libertarian Jenn West had 17,066 votes or 14 percent in the District 4 race.

Demorat Terrence Holmes outlasted Republican Luke Nichols to win the Jefferson County Court at Law 2 seat.

Holmes received 43,666 votes for 51 percent of the vote to Nichols’ 42,090 for 49 percent with all precincts reporting.

Democrat Baylor Wortham defeated Republican Dana Timaeus for district judge of the 136^th District Court.

Wortham, son of Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham, received 47,770 votes, 55 percent, to Timaeus’ 38,240 votes, 44 percent with all precincts reporting.

Two of the races, the sheriff’s race and the Jefferson County Court at Law 2 seat, may be up for a recount since 2,400 votes separated Stephens and Beck while 1,500 votes separated Holmes and Nichols.

Fred Jackson, assistant to the county judge, said he heard about a request for a recount. The Jefferson County Commissioners Court would have to order it, but nothing officially has been sent to the office.

Those making the request have until two days after votes are canvassed on Nov. 17. The state requires a certain amount of time to canvass.

A special meeting will probably be scheduled and posted after Nov. 17.

Cade Bernsen, county chairman for the Jefferson County Democratic Party, said they had a huge night and he was excited. At the same time, however, he said he was terrified of a Donald Trump presidency.

“Locally, the elections were a tremendous success. We swept three contested races countywide in the face of this Trump phenomenon,” he said. “It took hard work and perseverance. We used no gimmicks, no PR stunts. We were knocking on doors.”

Bernsen said he heard about the recount and he thinks it’s unwarranted.

He added that Stephens won by 2,400 votes and Holmes with 1,500 that were healthy margins.

“They won the election. It’s over,” he said. “We need to unify by the results and mover forward for the community. This recount is a waste of time and money. The democratic process works and that was proven last night.

The Jefferson County Republican Party chair was unable to be reached for comment.

David Ball: 409-721-2427