Steadily gaining momentum as a presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned at an afternoon “Get Out the Vote” rally hosted by students at Muhlenberg College’s Life Sports Center, Allentown Nov. 4, the day before Election Day.

The venue was filled to capacity with enthusiastic supporters and hope, as notable Democratic office-holders kept the cheering throng warmed up until Harris confidently walked up to the podium. Much of that hope and confidence later unraveled as the next day’s polling results came in.

Referring to the Lehigh Valley as “the swingiest area in the swingiest state in the whole nation,” Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said, “I know you are ready to deliver for Kamala Harris.”

Cuban-American Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk, Esperanza founder Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr. and Puerto Rican rapper Fat Joe spoke in support of Harris.

Directly addressing Latino voters, they pushed back at former President Donald Trump’s (R) campaign’s rhetoric of disrespect toward their community and his immigration policies.

“Let’s get this done for all of us!” declared incumbent Congresswoman Susan Wild (D) who also took jabs at her opponent in the 7th Congressional District race.

Music was provided by Puerto Rican salsa artist Frankie Negrón.

Elizabeth Strong, from the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs for Allentown and Lehigh County introduced the Democratic Presidential nominee.

“I will be a president for all Americans,” said Harris. “We are all in this together!”

She promised, if elected, “Instead of stewing over an ‘enemies list’ I will spend every day working on my ‘to do list’ on your behalf.” Harris laid out her policies to strengthen health care coverage, fight price gouging by corporations, making housing and child care more affordable, and cutting taxes for the working class and small businesses.

“We love you!” shouted the crowd. “Love you back!” answered Harris with an appreciative smile.

Allentown was just one stop for the Harris campaign as she raced across the critical swing state of Pennsylvania with evening rallies in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia that day.

Her opponent also crisscrossed the battleground state, including a stop at Allentown’s PPL Center in October.

“Momentum is on our side!” declared an optimistic Harris. “It is time for a new generation of leadership in America!”

Unfortunately for the Democratic Party, as strong as the momentum had grown for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, it wasn’t enough to push them across the finish line ahead of the Donald Trump-J.D. Vance ticket.

Election Day results were also disappointing for Democratic candidates across the battleground state and the United States.

As of Nov. 15, Harris received 73,184,305 votes (48.2 percent) to Trump’s 76,099,379 (50.1 percent) nationwide. Votes for third party candidates were minimal.

In Pennsylvania, Harris got 3,407,895 (48.61 percent) to Trump’s 3,535,015 (50.42 percent).

Ryan Mackenzie (R) defeated Wild (D) with 202,771 votes (50.56 percent) to her 198,311 votes (49.44 percent).

It is still too close to call the race between incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Casey (D) and challenger Dave McCormick (R) with 3,369,522 (48.55 percent) to 3,391,504 (48.87 percent) votes, respectively. According to state law, this razor’s edge lead has triggered an automatic recount.

Trump holds 312 Electoral College votes to Harris’ 226, including all 19 from Pennsylvania.

Lehigh County voted blue, favoring Harris over Trump. In contrast, Northampton County voted red for Trump. All Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Election Result data is cited as of Nov. 15.

Trump hit a historic milestone by accumulating approximately 2,915,074 more popular votes than Harris.

“Trump’s victory is not a fluke,” observes sociologist Dr. Ziad Munson, looking back on the election results”It is the culmination of a particular style of right-wing populism that has come together in the MAGA movement that he didn’t create, but helped organize and direct.

“It’s worth considering the historical forces that have brought us to this point, as well as the implications it has for the future of America and the global order,” continues the department chair of the Lehigh University Department of Sociology & Anthropology. While disagreeing with much of the postmortem punditry on the campaigns, Munson says the “elephant in the room” is “a MAGA movement that has now more fully mobilized to become the center of gravity in American politics.”

“He’s defeated two women now, twice,” says Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong (D). Referring to an article he recently read, Armstrong says, “Women didn’t unite behind her. Men certainly did unite behind Trump.”

“Did the Democrats turn out like they should have? No,” he opines. Armstrong says, “You had that cultural thing,” and the war in Gaza drove some voters to third party candidates.

With a note of optimism, the county executive said, “Life goes on in our county regardless of who is sitting in the Oval Office.”

On Nov. 6, Harris addressed her supporters at Howard University, to concede the election to her opponent.

After expressing gratitude to her supporters, campaign staff and volunteers, the Bidens, along with the Walz family and her own, Harris said, “A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results.”

Defiantly, she added, “I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign, the fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people, a fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up.”