This post was written by Hatchet reporter Jesslyn Angelia and Anthony Wonsono

The Human Rights Campaign’s official D.C. watch party is packed with LGBT supporters awaiting results of an election that could mean four more states approving gay marriage.

Loud cheers filled the room when President Barack Obama is declared the winner of D.C. around 8 p.m.

The organization’s president Chad Griffin said the election could be “historical” if Maryland, Minnesota, Maine and Washington state approve marriage equality. The states could be the first to approve same-sex marriage through a popular vote.

The Human Rights Campaign raised $20 million this election cycle to support the causes, Griffin said.

But results are still far off: Just 1 percent of Maryland votes have been counted so far.

“I am confident, but hopeful,” one attendee, Tamara Dicus, said.  “It is a very tight race.” Many share the same mix of optimism and hope.

When interviewed about the biggest victories for the LGBT community under Obama, guests praised Obama’s repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and his recent declaration of support for same-sex marriage.

“Just the fact that Obama came out and expressed his support of marriage equality, and gave sustained support to LGBT groups makes a difference. Obama’s voicing of support goes along way even in the direct communities that surround us here,” HRC staff member Sam Anderson said.

A next four years under Obama is the ideal for most of the crowd, but some attendees said even the “worst case scenario” may not hold back LGBT rights.

“Romney has often been known to say one thing just to appease a certain group. Hopefully, his views aren’t as extreme as his campaign make it out to be,” Cole Majumdar said.