WACO, TX — A lot's been said about how divisive politics has been in the last several years but in this election of all elections, some races actually had more of what voters say they want, a rational exchange of ideas and civil discussion. It shaped at least a couple of races.
Scott Lee expected to endure some heckling as he took to Bosque Boulevard on election day to campaign for a county commission candidate.
"It's been really positive I've seen a lot of people smiling, giving thumbs up, waving, People have been really nice about this," said Baylor Student originally from Southern California It helped bring voters out for big races and small.
"Of course the presidency and the local WISD", said Candy Marquez of Waco.
One race where it seemed to make a difference is the race for the 17th Congressional District. The race pitted former North Texas Congressman Pete Sessions against Rick Kennedy.
While Sessions ran a rather partisan primary race, Sessions focused more on issues and solutions. While Kennedy promoted a "man of action" persona in a congress that he says didn't get much done.
"As a centrist somebody who'd add more weight to the center in congress to encourage working across the aisle compromising to get things done," said Kennedy.
He worked hard to appeal to traditionally conservative central Texas counties and appeared to make headway. Kennedy jumped out to an early lead, something sessions attributed to boxes coming in from traditionally democratic areas, early-on.
Sessions worked to appeal to the entire district, with a general election campaign toned down from his partisan runoff with a newcomer.
"I will proactively work on behalf of every single county and people, I will listen to them, and Rick will like that, Mr. Kennedy and I know each other," said Sessions.
In the end, though Sessions pulled away and hardly looked back leaving Kennedy a little disappointed, but not angry.
"I'd have hoped to make more of a dent in some of the very republican counties like Leon and Limestone but it looks like it just didn't happen," said Kennedy.
As he stepped carefully toward declaring victory Sessions reminded voters of how little time he'd always spent in Washington and how much time he'll spend here at home.
"They will see me every month they will know where I am I will be open to hearing from them. but we're going to work for jobs and opportunities," said Sessions.
Opportunities made possible by hard work and a campaign noted not for its divisiveness, but it's the tone of problem-solving, something even Scott Lee noticed.
"No one's yelled at me, it's been a very positive experience," said the student.
He says, maybe there's hope for politics yet.
