Hillary Clinton celebrates primary victory in Philadelphia

On Tuesday night, Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at the Terrace Ballroom of the Philadelphia Convention Center after winning four of five state primaries on the east coast.

About 1,300 people attended the speech, including multiple members of Penn Democrats and Penn for Hillary.

Polls closed at 8 p.m. across the Northeast with Clinton winning in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and Delaware. To celebrate Clinton’s victories, a mix of several songs, including “Turn Down for What,” “Fight Song,” and Rihanna’s “Work,” followed the announcement.

At 8:49 p.m., news sources confirmed Clinton had won the Pennsylvania primary. And at 9:09 p.m., Clinton began her remarks, thanking several Pennsylvania politicians, including Governor Tom Wolf, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Rep. Matt Cartwright and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

“With your help, we’re going to come back to Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention,” Clinton said. “With the most votes and the most pledged delegates, and we will unify our party to win this election.”

She added, “Now think of this, our nation was born in Philadelphia. Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed just a few blocks away.”

Clinton spoke against gun violence and unfair “encounters with the police.” She also advocated for job creation and college access, overturning the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United as well as fighting climate change and food insecurity.

Clinton’s remarks primarily focused on uniting the Democratic Party against Republican candidates.

“We will build on a strong tradition from Franklin Roosevelt to Barack Obama,” she said. Clinton also praised Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and his supporters for “challenging” politicians to address income inequality and money in politics.

“Together, we will get that done,” she said. “Whether you support Sen. Sanders or me, there’s much more that unites us than divides us.”

“We have to be both dreamers, and doers. As a great Democratic president said, ‘There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured with what is right in America,’” she added, quoting her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton also rebuked presidential candidate and 1968 Wharton graduate Donald Trump’s accusation that she had “played the woman card.”

Several Penn students helped out at the victory speech celebration and the day’s earlier campaign events.

Penn Democrats President and College junior Max Levy directed the press before the speech began. Hillary for America Fellow and College junior Barry Johnson said he canvassed for Clinton during the day.

“I was really excited that she won. I really agree with all the issues that she discussed in her speech,” Johnson said.“It was really exacting to the degree to which she won Pennsylvania, as well as the other states.”

Penn for Hillary Co-President and College junior Sam Iacobellis, who watched the speech from campus, said that Clinton repeated many of her previous talking points. “I think you can definitely tell with the results tonight that they’re overwhelming in her favor,” he said. “She’s trying to reach out to Bernie Sanders supporters.”

Iacobellis said that following the primary results, Penn for Hillary will be working closely with Penn Democrats to “mobilize our infrastructure and members” for campaign efforts in preparation for the November general election. He believes that after Clinton’s most recent victories, “There is no realistic path to the nomination for Senator Sanders.”

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