Thursday, October 1, 2026
Editor’s note: Merokean David Stonehill served as a Hillary Clinton campaign volunteer during the primary season and is now volunteering for Clinton’s effort to defeat Donald Trump. Below is a diary of his experiences on the road.
Oct. 19: Clinton Campaign Debate Watch Party, Huntington, NY
The Campaign sponsors an official debate watch party for the third and final Presidential debate at the Paramount Theater in downtown Huntington. I walk up to the balcony to enjoy the show along with several hundred other Democrats in the theater. Democratic notables here include Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, former Congressman Gary Ackerman and Robert Zimmerman. I find that although Donald Trump seems better prepared than in his previous debate appearances, he is still outclassed by Hillary Clinton when it comes to knowledge of facts and issues. Along with everyone else there, I am shocked when Trump tells Moderator Chris Wallace that he would not automatically accept the election results as valid. His remark throws everything into question and does not bode well for a smooth election.
Oct. 20: Clinton National Campaign Headquarters, Brooklyn, NY – “Dialing for Lawyers”
Oct. 26: Leadership Conference Press Call
The more Trump complains about a media and Clinton Campaign conspiracy to “rig” the election against him, the more my political specialty of voter protection makes the news.
As the Communications Chair of a non-partisan voting rights advocacy group, I listen in on a press call held by the Leadership Conference from Washington, DC. The Conference is a national coalition of about organizations, including my own. There are several speakers who note that there could well be an uptick in complaints about election procedures as well as attempts to suppress the vote and to intimate voters. Problems in a number of states utilizing early voting are detailed, such as North Carolina. New York is fine, for now.
Nov. 5: Sealing the Deal: I Return to Pennsylvania
This is it for Get Out The Vote (GOTV). I decide to return to Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs. The crucial nature of the suburban vote for Hillary in Pennsylvania has not changed, so I am right on time. I drive to Ardmore (Montgomery County) which is the Clinton area headquarters. I am told to go on to Haverford where a pop-up field office has been made within a supporter’s mansion. At Haverford, I am given a list of probable supporters in nearby Bryn Mawr. I proceed to drop off door knockers to remind these people to vote on Tuesday. I notice that this is a solidly Democratic area. I finish my assignment and head on home to Long Island.
Nov. 6: Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 66, Melville, NY
A short break from every Democrat’s frenzied GOTV schedule. The hall is full of Democratic campaign staff and union workers. This pep rally is led by Governor Andrew Cuomo as well as by other Party leaders from Long Island. Featured guests include a number of our State Senate and Congressional candidates. Excited and tired, we leave and return to our usual political work.
Nov. 6-7: GOTV for Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, NY-4, Merrick, NY
For once I am local. I hit the streets in my election district to put Kathleen Rice doorknockers on the doors of her local supporters. Walking quickly, it takes several hours to finish this assignment. I am now ready for the general election!
Nov. 8: Election Day, New Jersey 5th Congressional District, Newton and Paramus
I am here on assignment from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. My job is to work with the campaign staff of Josh Gottheimer, our Congressional Candidate in NJ-5 (portions of Warren, Passaic, Sussex and Bergen Counties) and with attorneys from the New Jersey State Democrats. This is the northern part of New Jersey and much of it is rural in nature. A Republican area traditionally, it is now trending towards becoming a Democratic suburban district. Standing in Gottheimer’s way is a really conservative Republican Congressman. I spend much of Election Day in Newton, the county seat of Sussex. Here, I meet with my New Jersey Democratic counterparts and frequently call in to represent Sussex County in tele-conferences discussing election issues around the state. Sussex has few problems fortunately so by mid-afternoon, I head for Paramus, where the main Gottheimer headquarters is located, as is the New Jersey state boiler room. I stay here until the polls close at 8 PM. Heavy voting is reported around the state and that should be good for Democratic candidates, I hope.
Nov. 8: Bergen County Democratic Party Election Night Event, Hasbrouck Heights Hilton, New Jersey
Heading towards New York, I decide to drop in on the Bergen County Democratic event in Hasbrouck Heights. The Bergen County Democrats have the largest and most active organization within this Congressional District. Inside the large meeting room, are large video screens tuned to CNN and MSNBC for election results. I greet some members of the Gottheimer campaign staff. Listening to the live band play, I wait around for a few minutes and then decide to drive into New York.
Nov. 8: Completing the Circle, Long Island City, NY
My final plan tonight is to attend the Clinton Election Night party at Javits Center in Manhattan. It is the major event for the Democrats in the country. I drive across New Jersey and make my way to Queens where I park. I then take the subway towards the City. I started my involvement with the Clinton campaign in 2015 while attending some fundraisers in Manhattan, it now seems fitting to close things out by going back for the close. However, after listening to election returns on the radio and by checking my cellphone, it becomes obvious that it will take hours to find out who wins the election. I hastily get off the E train and head back home. As I drive back, it becomes clearer that an upset victory for Donald Trump is in the making. I know now that my work is truly done for this campaign. Still, it has been some ride. I take some comfort in knowing that my New Jersey Congressional candidate has won his election.
