The 2016 election has been one of the most controversial and talked about races in years, and election night proved no different with Donald Trump winning nearly every battleground state and defying almost every poll to clinch a narrow victory over Hillary Clinton with an electoral college count of 279 to her 228.

Initially, most Americans believed that Hillary Clinton would win by a larger margin, so Trump’s triumph left many people surprised.

“The election was a shocker to us watching it and the polling experts,” Teenage Republicans sponsor Lance Kyles said. “We kept waiting for a shoe to drop, but as it continued, Trump continued winning.”

Because of its controversial nature, many people were shocked by the election result. It contributed to the strong feelings of many voters. In the wake of Trump’s victory, many major cities have held protests and marches led by Clinton supporters.

“It’s just shocking that he won because while Hillary had the email scandal, Trump’s said a lot of offensive things that you would think would prevent him from winning,” junior Bree Barnett said.

Along with the Trump victory, the Republicans dominated both the Senate with a 51-48 majority and House of Representative elections with a 239-192 victory.  

“It’s important that we don’t have a government lockout like we have in the past. The Republican majority with Trump as president is going to give Congress a chance to get bills passed,” junior Brennon Cope said.

In their speeches, both candidates emphasized working together for the betterment of the country.

“Government is about compromise,” Young Democrats sponsor Hunter Davis said. “You can’t take here and give there; nothing will ever get done.”