Halloween in Capitol Hill: A Welcome Distraction from Election Day
On Halloween, residents of Capitol Hill, both young and old, donned an array of whimsical costumes, attempting to keep the looming Election Day at arm’s length. The red brick sidewalks were alive with an eclectic mix of characters: from superheroes like Batman to pop icons such as Taylor Swift, and even aliens, orange traffic cones, and farm animals. However, one thing was clear—there were no politicians or presidential figures in sight.
Josh Rosenfeld, a supply chain specialist masquerading as a big brown horse, seemed slightly taken aback when asked about the prevailing mood regarding the upcoming election. Nevertheless, he tilted his head and responded with a hint of bemusement, saying, “Yes, there’s a lot of anxiety here.”
Indeed, anxiety permeates the air, particularly in a city where the stakes are incredibly high. The residents of Washington, D.C., are intricately connected to the political landscape, with nearly everyone either working for or having ties to government, politics, or the extensive network of private businesses and nonprofit organizations that rely on federal funding.
Presidential elections consistently bring about a wave of uncertainty in the nation’s capital. Major life decisions—such as changing jobs, purchasing homes, getting married, or planning vacations—often get postponed as citizens await the electoral outcome. The District of Columbia has consistently leaned heavily Democratic, with over 90 percent of voters supporting Democratic candidates in the last two presidential elections.
However, the 2024 election feels markedly different. For the first time in recent memory, the city is confronted with a stark and unsettling binary choice. One candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, is advocating for a familiar and conventional approach to change, promising progress that aligns with traditional Democratic values. In contrast, her opponent, former President Donald J. Trump, is pledging to pursue a path of vengeance against his adversaries, with plans to insert his influence at every level of government and to implement drastic cuts to the federal workforce.
Adding to the tension is the ever-present threat of violence, a grim reality that has loomed over the political landscape since the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. As the city gears up for this pivotal election, the blend of Halloween festivities and political anxiety creates a unique atmosphere—one that reflects the duality of celebration and apprehension felt by many.
