The divisiveness that is part of so many presidential campaigns seemed to be amplified in the race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Now that the race is over, some in Collier County are hoping to see hard feelings go on the mend.
"It's going to be difficult, after a lot of the stuff that happened," said Uriel Francia of Naples.
Francia said he believes Trump can create jobs to help the economy, but is skeptical about just how many jobs. Part of Trump's platform was to add 25 million new jobs over the next decade if elected.
"I'm trying to keep an open mind about it," Francia said.
"It was depressing," said Yudy Barbera, Chair of the Collier County Democratic Party of Trump's victory over Hilary Clinton. "None of us expected the result that we had last night."
Like many Democrats, Barbera is taking her candidate's loss to Trump hard. With Collier County's large immigrant population in mind, she hopes the president-elect doesn't make sweeping immigration reforms.
"We'll hop that he will do things that will bring us together," Barbera said. "And if not, it's not going to be pretty, because as Democrats we're not going to be sitting around and accepting everything."
She said that if the presidential race taught her one thing, it's people are fed up with negative campaign attacks.
"And we have to look at that and regroup," Barbera said. "Maybe put out more positive campaigns in the future to win back the voters that we have lost."
