This post was written by Hatchet reporters Sophia Shin and Lauren French.

Local candidates waiting on personal election results expressed excitement over Sen. Barack Obama’s electoral lead at the D.C. Democrats election watch party at the Madison Hotel.

“Things are going great for Obama,” said incumbent D.C. shadow senator Paul Strauss, who said he expects to hear results for his race later tonight.

“It looks like the prediction for Obama is accurate,” said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C. “And if the prediction for Obama is accurate, then the prediction for the District should be accurate.”

Strauss, Norton and D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser, D-Ward 4, were expected to speak at 10 p.m. when their respective races were called, but this has been postponed due to the lack of returns.