Excitement was high at the East Brunswick Hilton on November 6, 2001. And all that I had to record it on was a few sheets of paper torn out of a Day Planner.

It was Election Night, 2001, the eve of the appointment of a new governor for New Jersey. Since one of the candidates, James McGreevey, was from my hometown, my family was attending the public Election Night Democratic Party, at the Hilton. I had walked into the party, planning on being a spectator. However, upon setting foot in the Hilton and realizing the opportunity that had fallen into my lap, my journalistic duties got the best of me. I had to cover this, as best as I could, for an article for my journalism class.

News comes to us at the most random times, and, as a writer, I was taught to always be prepared for it. Unfortunately, it is not easy to squish a notepad and pencil into a small black evening bag. My father, realizing my predicament, managed to swipe a few pages of a day planner from a friend at the party. Despite the scattered dates that covered the pages, it would have to do.

Various democratic organizations and their candidates had booked the entire banquet floor and its rooms for what democrats hoped would be a night of victories. I had never been interested in politics before, however, the mayor of my hometown was running for governor, in what was panning out to be a very close race. I walked from room to room, noting on the decorations - red, white, and blue streamers, and banners proclaiming the various organizations, such as the Middlesex Democratic Organization, and the District 19 Senatorial and Assembly candidates.

Gubernatorial democratic candidate James McGreevey, from Woodbridge, had his "Victory 2001" party staged in the Grand Ballroom. The "Victory 2001" party began at 8 PM. A hot and cold buffet was offered to the spectators and their families. While I sampled the food and perused the room, two large movie screens were set up on each side of the main stage in the front, broadcasting incoming vote counts and other entertainment, including a slide show of McGreevey's campaign.

Several different television stations were set up in the back of the room. Stations such as UPN, NJN, and Telemundo were represented, complete with cameras, spotlights, and microphones. The reporters periodically were seen giving updates in front of the makeshift media station, with the crowd behind them, to demonstrate the flurry of activity.

As a cub (novice) reporter, I knew I had to talk to some people and get some quotes. Using my connections (my mother is a committeewoman, so she knows most of the campaigners and politicians), I found the acting Business Administrator of New Jersey, and an avid campaigner for McGreevey, John McCormick. He expressed his hopes for a win by McGreevey by a possible 12%.

"I think the people of New Jersey have compared the records, of Jim in Woodbridge, and Bret in Jersey City, and decided the state should run the way Woodbridge did instead," he said.

Security was heightened at the Election Night party, but plans were kept top secret. "It's more than usual, in general," said a state trooper when questioned. He declined to further comment on the situation. Usually, as an inquiring journalist, I would press the issue. His grim face and stern stature urged me to accept his answer and move on.

The party continued on, uneventful. Polls closed at 8 PM, so until then, any results were sketchy. At 8:36 PM, exit polls related a win by McGreevey by 10-12%. Unfortunately, exit polls are not a reliable indication of the election's outcome, so these numbers were only an indication of what the possible victory margin could be.

At 8:59 PM, the Grand Ballroom exploded. McGreevey had the lead, 57% to Republican candidate Bret Schundler's 43%, with 3% of the entire state of New Jersey's votes already tallied. I hurried to record the numbers as they flashed across the screen. Other news mediums had the same idea. Cameras were flashing, and the television stations started sending reporters out on the floor to give the public the update via television.

Various organizations were passing out signs and balloons, in order to arouse the crowd's excitement. Music and a slide show were broadcasted in between waiting for incoming results.

At 9:05, 14% of votes were reported, with McGreevey still holding the lead, at 59% to 41%. The crowd enthusiastically waved their signs and pompoms. Dessert was served, and excitement was mounting as the crowd awaited the results.

Various speakers were introduced at this time. McGreevey's father, Jack McGreevey, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, with McGreevey's former kindergarten teacher. Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman fired up the crowd with a yell of, "What time is it?" to which the crowd responded, "It's McGreevey time!"

The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Assemblyman Joe Roberts said, "The success of Jim McGreevey tonight is going to set the success of Democratic victories to come!"

A hush fell over the crowd at the early time of 10:02 PM. Without warning, the screens flashed Schundler, announcing his concession. McGreevey had won! The speech was broadcasted throughout the crowded ballroom, as spectators inched closer to the screens.

In response to the victory, Congressman Robert Menendez said, "It is not just a victory of party, but a victory of the people of the state…a victory for New Jersey values!"

The concession speech was turned off halfway through. At 10:20 PM, the new governor of New Jersey was announced, through deafening screams in the audience, and bulbs and cameras flashing.
"All right, Woodbridge!" were McGreevey's first words.

He began his speech with reassuring the crowd that his pregnant wife, Dina, was all right and safe in a hospital. She had gone into premature labor the night before Election Day, and McGreevey had left his campaign to be by her side.

A tearful McGreevey attempted to get through his victory speech, stopping in the middle to tell the cheering crowd, "I gotta get through this speech!"

He assured the crowd that he was going to work tirelessly and efficiently to bring New Jersey back to speed. "This is your fight; this is your victory," McGreevey said. "This is a government for all people now, we will face challenges responsibly and honestly. Our hard work isn't over, it's just beginning."

McGreevey was born in Jersey City to an Irish Catholic family, raised in Carteret, and now resides in Woodbridge. His closing words were, "Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a Jersey guy! New Jersey, I'm as middle class as they come!"

McGreevey's victory was reported as a 58% to 42% victory. McGreevey ended his speech and traveled through the crowd, to the media in the back of the room for interviews. The party began to wind down. The hotel staff cleaned up, the valets retrieved limos and cars, and the guests returned to their homes, with a new governor residing over them.

My two sheets of paper were completely filled up, front and back, and my pen had started to run out of ink. As we walked to the parking lot, I was amazed at all the information that I had pulled out of 2 ½ hours of observations, with rudimentary supplies. I had arrived completely unprepared to be a journalist, but seized the opportunity. I realized that news can happen any place, at any time.

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