Vice President Kamala Harris encouraged a peaceful transfer of power as she conceded the race for president to now President-elect Donald Trump. 

Trump’s victory marks a sweeping political comeback for a candidate who refused to accept defeat four years ago, was convicted on felony charges and survived two assassination attempts. 

The decisive defeat leaves Democrats to pick up the pieces and figure out a path forward for their party after notching across the board defeats in the expected swing states. Both Republicans and Democrats in Chicago on Wednesday analyzed the results of the election and what it might say about the future of the country. 

Trump is the second person in U.S. history, the previous being Grover Cleveland, to win two non-consecutive terms as commander and chief.

In his second term, Trump has vowed to pursue an agenda centered on dramatically reshaping the federal government and pursuing retribution against his perceived enemies.

Harris’ concession speech mirrored similar themes seen throughout her campaign. 

“While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she said in a Wednesday speech to the nation. “The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness, and for the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation. The ideals that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up.”

For local Republicans the nature of Trump’s victory points to positive momentum for the party as a whole. 

“I think it was a good night for Republicans across the country, having the Senate, the House seemingly, and definitely with former President Trump winning,” said Devin Jones, Republican Committeeman of Chicago’s 18th Ward and chairman of the Southside Republicans. “I look forward to some of the policies that they plan on introducing. I think a lot of people of a conservative mindset are looking forward to a more limited government and less taxes.”

Republicans have taken control of the U.S. Senate and are fighting to keep their majority in the U.S. House, which would produce a full sweep of GOP power. 

“It was very disappointing to me. I thought that we were farther along in our country when it came to looking at qualifications versus all the -isms. The candidates were starkly different,” said Michelle Duster, author, historian, and the great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells. “I really believe if their professional backgrounds were reversed, then there would have been no contest for Kamala Harris. The fact that you have somebody with the background that Trump had against somebody with the background of Kamala Harris, and for him to come out the victor, I just think it says so much.”

Harris had just over a 100 days to appeal to voters about why she was up for the job. Her announcement to run for president created a sharp turn in the presidential race and fired up Democrats across the country, even gaining herself a few Republican supporters.

Among those were former Rep. Liz Cheney and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger. 

“A lot of what we heard throughout the cycle was a deep distaste for President Trump, but a stronger, perhaps, frustration with pocketbook issues,” said Patrick Hanley, co-founder of Operation Swing State. “When prices are up 20% in four years, that hits in a way that even topics that are so important to us, like democracy, just don’t touch.”

Operation Swing State mobilized volunteers in Illinois to impact key battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin. They knocked on 250,000 doors, sent 9,000 volunteers and  coordinated with 80 partner organizations.

“I think a lot of the conversations that our volunteers had did change minds, did bring out folks to vote for Kamala Harris and for Democrats. But it wasn’t enough,” said Hanley. 

Harris won in areas like Illinois, California, and New York, but lost in key battleground states Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. 

“It was not a good night for me, but I thought it was a good night for the country. We saw a woman take a negative and turn it into a positive. She took a negative campaign position and made it a competitive one,” said Santita Jackson, host of the “Santita Jackson Show” and daughter of Rev. Jesse Jackson. “And I saw her break through a glass ceiling. She chipped just a little bit more than Hillary Clinton did. I saw her lift a nation today.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.