There’s a big elephant in the room and it might be a donkey in disguise.

24-Hour News 8 reporter Jay Hermacinski at Conseco Fieldhouse the Republican Party told me Republicans are excited about the Governor’s race, Attorney General’s race, and State Superintendent for Public Instruction race to name a few.

However, when it comes to the Presidential race, there is some concern over whether Indiana will deliver for John McCain.

24-Hour News 8 reporter Gene Rodriguez is also at the downtown Marriott Hotel covering the 7th District, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction races.

She told supporters are monitoring the national news networks. Everytime one of the networks projects Obama a winner in a certain state you hear a very loud cheer and clapping. She said more and more people are arriving. She said Evan Bayh has been there for a while. However, Andre Carson has not arrived. He’s expected to be there by 9:30 p.m.

There’s a buzz in the newsroom that can only be generated from a presidential election night. Usually at this time of night most of the staff has gone home and those remaining are quietly working on putting together the evening newscasts. That’s certainly not the case on a night like this. Everyone’s been on their toes all day and as the results start to flow in from around the state and country, there’ll be no letting up for the next few hours.

Below are some behind the scenes pics from tonight’s broadcast courtesy WISH-TV Chief Photographer Steve Sweitzer.

WISH-TV election-night contributors look over the latest poll results

Karen Hensel looks on as Jim Shella talks to our election-night contributors

Political reporter Jim Shella and WISH Interactive Manager Jason Crundwell look over tonight's live chat

Jill Long Thompson is expected to concede to the incumbent Mitch Daniels at 8:55 p.m.

24-Hour News 8 reporter Leslie Olsen is at the downtown Marriott Hotel with the Democrat Party.

She told me it’s been pretty quiet there until recently when Obama was called in Pennsylvania and Illinois. She said there is somberness about Jill Long Thompson apparently losing by a lot. There are two big screens with MSNBC and CNN plus smaller screens that have local stations.

Leslie said there aren’t as many supporters there as she would have imagined, but supporters may still be coming.

Pam Elliot reports that Democrats are having a strong showing in Lake County. 17,965 votes have been counted, Obama has 73% of the vote while McCain has 26%.

24-Hour News 8’s Jay Hermacinski reports that Mitch Daniels may be planning a victory speech as early as 9:25 this evening.

24-Hour News 8 reporter Jay Hermacinski is at Conseco Fieldhouse with the Republican Party.

He told me the Republicans are feeling confidant tonight. Gov. Daniels huge lead has the party excited. That said, there is a feeling of uncertainty when it comes to the Presidential election. Republicans are nervous about the possibility that Indiana could turn blue.

The AP says Mitch Daniels has won his second term as governor of Indiana. But 24-Hour News 8’s Leslie Olsen is reporting that the Jill Long Thompson campaign has not yet conceded.

Earlier in the evening Leslie reported that supporters of JLT were hoping to catch her at the Marriott in downtown Indianapolis but Thompson instead chose to rest in her hotel room and prepare her speech.

According to the Associated Press -  The first results from the election are in: John McCain is the winner in Kentucky, while Barack Obama has captured Vermont.