Looking back at an election to remember

Thirteen hours of voting.

The Capital and The Baltimore Sun photographers spent all day Tuesday documenting a historic election — from voters heading to the polls under a steady rain to celebrations and concessions.

Before Election Day 2018 gets too far in the past, we wanted to share the best of their images. Director of Photography Jeff Bill combed through the scores of images we shared online at capitalgazette.com to pull out the small number of photos that best expressed the day.

As community journalists, we’re constantly aware of how generous people are with their time.

Whether it’s catching County Executive Steve Schuh in the moment he conceded to Steuart Pittman or the moment of joy when County Councilwoman Allison Pickard was tossed in the air by a Democratic activist upon receiving the news that she’d won, we can never say thank you enough for letting us share in the moment.

As you look at these photos, remember that this is you. Candidates for office are members of the community, whether you voted for them or not.

They decided to give up time from their jobs, their families and their everyday lives in hopes that you would give them a chance to contribute.

Whether they won on lost, the public owes a debt of thanks to those who sought public office.

And we, of course, owe thanks to all of you for letting The Capital document the day. It was an election to remember.

JEN RYNDA/BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA GROUP Sandy Bartlett cheers as she hugs Allison Pickard during the election party at Michael’s Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie on Tuesday night.

LLOYD FOX/BALTIMORE SUN Gov. Larry Hogan speaks to supporters at his election night party celebrating his re-election.

JOSHUA MCKERROW/CAPITAL GAZETTE Voters cast their ballots in the early morning Tuesday at Chesapeake High School.

JEN RYNDA/ BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA GROUP County Executive Democratic candidate Steuart Pittman celebrates his win with supporters at Michael’s Eighth Avenue.

PAUL W. GILLESPIE/CAPITAL GAZETTE Jason Rheinstein, left, Del. Sid Saab, center, and Anne Arundel County Orphans Court Judge Nancy Phelps, look at returns on their smartphones. Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh and his supporters gathered at Fado Irish Pub in Annapolis to watch election results come in Tuesday evening.

PAUL W. GILLESPIE/CAPITAL GAZETTE Schuh speaks to supporters after conceding to and congratulating Pittman. His wife Dania Schuh is by his side.