Primary night to have different feel this year

Small gatherings, virtual greetings replace large events

Election nights are typically social affairs.

Political entourages crowd banquet halls to mingle, munch on hors d’oeuvres and drink beer and wine as they anxiously await the results of races.

Candidates seeking office wait in quiet rooms, then emerge to the sound of loud pop music to deliver a fiery victory speech or sadly concede their loss. There are hugs, tears and occasional hooting.

In 2020, COVID-19 drastically changed that tradition. As the results of the Democratic primary come in, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and challenger Matthew Toporowski will virtually meet most of their supporters.

Toporowski, of Albany, who is running for the first time, will be among his most active supporters but said he will adhere to safety precautions.

“We’re going to keep our gathering small to ensure it’s safe, but we’ll also have it accessible online because there’s been so many dedicated community members supporting this campaign and I want to opportunity to thank everyone,” Toporowski told the Times Union.

The last time Soares faced a primary, he and his supporters gathered in a Beaver Street restaurant. On Tuesday night, Soares will be home in Glenmont as the results are delivered. He is seeking his fifth four-year term.

Soares said he would not want to encouragepeople to come to a specific place. Under the phase three of the state’s reopening plan, which the Capital Region is now in, restaurants, bars and food service industries can reopen for dine-in business at 50 percent of their maximum capacity.

“You establish bonds with so many people and you have volunteers that are coming from different places throughout the county …usually it is that primary night or general election night where all of those people who have bonded throughout the campaign are really engaging and enjoying the fruits of their labor,” Soares said. “That’s significant and we’re going to miss that.”

Soares and Toporowski are expected to vote early Tuesday.