By Anne Halliwell

ahalliwell@kykernel.com

The music continued at the Carrick House after major news organizations called the Kentucky Senate race in Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell’s favor soon after the polls closed. Early results reported McConnell’s percentage of votes to be in the high 50’s.

Democratic senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes had about 40 percent of early poll results when the Associated Press called the race.

At the end of the night, McConnell earned 56 percent of the votes and Grimes earned 41 with 99 percent of the precincts reporting.

“It’s a little disappointing,” said Grimes supporter Brian Thacker. “I was hoping for a change.”

Thacker had hoped for a minimum wage increase and thought that Grimes would serve as a voice “not just (for) the rich.”

“I believe too many people tried to connect her to Obama,” Thacker said. “They didn’t see what she could do on her own.”

Kentucky auditor Adam Edelen and Gov. Steve Beshear both appeared at the end of the election night party to express support for Grimes.

“Though we have a result we’re not happy with, one thing we can celebrate is how … Alison Lundergan Grimes ran this race,” Edelen told the crowd.

Beshear said that Grimes “stood for the right things” and though she took some harsh blows along the campaign trail, ended the night “standing straight (and) … looking forward.”

Grimes promised the crowd that despite the loss, she would “fight each and every day” to create jobs in Kentucky and close the pay gap.

“While tonight didn’t bring us the result we hoped for, this journey, for you, was worth it,” Grimes said.

Jody Childers and her daughter, Molly Childers, helped with Grimes’ campaign for a year and a half and came down from Illinois to support her.

“Alison’s that important,” Jody Childers said. “Not having Mitch McConnell win another (term) is that important.”

Grimes ran on a liberal platform that endorsed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D.-Mass.) student debt reform plan.

Grimes supported keeping the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in place and took a liberal stance on reproductive rights and marriage equality.

As Kentucky’s Secretary of State, Grimes campaigned from a background in law and in public office.

Maria Paglialungo, who supported Grimes from the beginning of her campaign, said she felt “a little sad.”

Paglialungo canvassed, made calls for Grimes and attended all of her rallies.

“I believe very much in her still,” Paglialungo said. “Completely, unequivocally.”