With less than a month to go before the midterm elections, how has confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh affected voters?
Both parties are claiming momentum after the confirmation, but Monday night, Republican voters were the ones celebrating.
The Republican Party of San Diego flooded the Towne and Country Hotel in Mission Valley to watch as Kavanaugh was ceremoniously sworn into the high court.
“We’re very, very happy and very happy with the top Republicans in the Senate who worked hard to get him in and he’s in now," one voter said.
Many voters at the watch party said Kavanaugh’s confirmation is just what the party needs to energize its voters and motivate them to get to the polls this November, and that’s a shared sentiment between voters on both sides of the aisle.
“I was devastated, to be honest with you,” Democrat Elena Czarnowski said about the confirmation. “I felt kicked in the gut, that I could not believe that all of these senators said it's OK, another time.”
Czarnowski’s anger has activated her political activity and has even given her the urge to vote next month, which is something she doesn’t usually do.
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“Honestly, I wasn't a huge midterm voter,” she said. “I just thought those things would shuffle out.”
The stay at home mother to a 2-year-old told NBC 7 it’s been hard to get involved in primaries in the past. This time, though, is different.
She’s spent her weekends making calls and canvassing for 50th Congressional district candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar and even wants to host a meet-and-greet at her home.
“Right now, I think it's the Democrat’s time,” she said. “This is my mission ‘til November 6.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) called the nomination fight a "Great political gift" for the GOP, and said the voter base is “fired up.”
Both of San Diego County’s closely-watched congressional races are tight according to recent polls. Democratic candidate Mike Levin holds a close lead over Diane Harkey in the 49th District and Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter is working to protect his lead over Campa-Najjar in the 50th.
