Bradley University student Louis Amberg covered the Kate Gorman - candidate for 10th Judicial Circuit judge - election night party.

The party for Kate Gorman was held on the third floor of the Janssen Law Building.
At 7:15 p.m. there were 15 people in attendance, a majority family members and close supporters.
At 7:55 p.m. there were about 40 people present, and the first poll results came in favoring Gorman 629 to 473 votes
At 8:20 p.m. there were about 60 people present, including children, and spirits were high. One could hear loud conversations and laughter throughout the room.
At 8:30 p.m. there were 27 percent of votes in. 2,796 for Gorman, with 2,689 for Michael Risinger. Spirits still very high at party.
At 8:51 p.m. 45 percent of votes were in. 5,059 for Gorman, 4,944 for Risinger. Spirits still high at party, yet discussion of how close the race is turning out starts to dominate average conversation topic.
At 9 p.m. 48 percent of votes are in and Gorman led by less than 100 votes. When asked how she felt, Gorman responded, "Apprehensive, nervous, and just hanging by a thread."
At 9:12 p.m. Gorman was by herself in the hallway outside the women's restroom crouching down holding her forehead in deep thought about the nights events and what they might have in store.
At 10:03 p.m. 95 percent of the votes were in and it is the first time that night Gorman was behind. The party quieted to whispers.
The room was packed with Gorman supporters, yet most seemed to be huddled in groups of three or four continuously updating their cell phones for latest poll results, while the rest hovered around the TV.
At 10:20 p.m., the room went silent. The TV revealed 100 percent votes were in. Gorman was behind 13,529 to 13,840.
Shortly after, Gorman addressed the party in a defeated, yet strong, demeanor. She thanked everyone for their support, adding, " They counted the votes, and we didn't get enough." She then said they are considering a recount due to the closeness of the race, but will not decide until tomorrow.

Quotes:
“If I am elected, I believe it gives the bench a new perspective, I'm a working mother with two children.” “As far as helping my candidacy, it differentials me from the crowd.” - Kate Gorman


“I've known her since she started in practice. I use to try cases against her. I've tried several cases against her in front of her father as a judge. She can't help but have the upbringing and tradition of it. My favorite motto in her case is, 'Sometimes the best man for the job is a woman.' And, she is ready. She has all the experience you could ever want. I expect her to go far.”
 When asked if her gender might have anything to do with her winning the seat: “Not here in red neck country. She does not need sex to be involved in this at all, she clearly has the best qualifications.”
- Chuck Thomas, Lawyer from Pekin IL

 “I don't think the general public has any idea who they are voting for when they vote for a judge, and the closeness of this race proves that. I'm not surprised by the results of the race. I'm surprised that other people are surprised about the outcome. Among the lawyers of the community, everyone would think Kate has the upper advantage, but that just doesn't hold true to the general public.”
-Scott Umland, Lawyer