Boston ? If Sen. John F. Kerry had any inkling what the night would bring, how his life might change for better or worse in a matter of hours, he did not betray the smallest hint as his two-year odyssey in search of the White House finally brought him home Tuesday.

On a marathon day filled with tension and hope, the Democratic challenger steadfastly kept his thoughts about the future to himself. But for someone who often seemed maddeningly unable to connect to voters, he was downright warm and sentimental.

Supporters of Sen. John Kerry wait in Copley Square in Boston. Election night results trickled in Tuesday.

He embraced supporters in Wisconsin at his last campaign event, thanked teary staffers who had stuck with him when he was all but written off a year ago, and even reached out to the members of his traveling press corps, whom he had not spoken to in months.

It was as if he didn’t not want the moment to end. “I don’t think anyone can anticipate what it’s like seeing your name on the ballot for president,” he said wistfully, seconds after he voted in a basement room at the statehouse in Boston. He was accompanied by his daughters, Vanessa and Alex, who also voted, and by his wife, Teresa, who had voted in Pennsylvania.

By 10 p.m., Copley Square — site of the Kerry celebration — was a knot of thousands of nervous supporters, standing in the cold listening to Carole King and waiting for something to celebrate.

Overview Unofficial election results Douglas County precinct map Election Day 2004 feedback Kids Voting ResultsCounty Democrat unseats D.A. of 8 years Former mayor defeats Buhler in Senate race Embattled district judge stays on bench McElhaney survives short-lived deficit Record number of voters cast their ballots in county Douglas County kids choose Kerry Politicians, supporters share ‘crazy’ election-night revelry Voters approve Perry-Lecompton bond issue Township lacks candidatesState Moore fends off another challenge Ryun wins contentious 2nd District Congress seat Brownback easily defends his U.S. Senate seat Holland inches past GOP challenge Pine takes 3rd District Senate seat Wagnon wins State Board of Education race Seven incumbents lose; GOP pads majority in House Voters deny sales tax for K.C. arena Bush wins Kansas handily Kansans show they’re satisfied with Bush Counties see high voter turnout Election briefsNational Too close to call President ‘upbeat’ on election returns Kerry sentimental as race nears end Analysis: Emotions guided presidential voting Networks use care in reporting results New media throw caution to the wind Presidential race prompts late selloff State by state results: Midwest State by state results: West State by state results: Northeast State by state results: South California backs stem-cell research Voters in 11 states approve gay-marriage bans GOP wins key states in South World riveted by U.S. electionMultimedia Photo Gallery: Election Day 2004 6News video: Dennis Moore wins in a ‘landslide’ 6News video: Dennis Moore victory speech 6News video: Bob Johnson wins 2nd District County Commission position 6News video: Paula Gilchrist presumed Douglas County Treasurer 6News video: Ken McGovern wins sheriff’s office 6News video: Jere McElhaney on the 3rd District Commissioner seat 6News video: Penrod optimistic about Douglas County Clerk position 6News video: Ermeling hopeful in 3rd District Commissioner race 6News video: Francisco likely to win 2nd District Barbara Ballard talks about younger voters and their importance in this election. Barbara Ballard talks about being in Lawrence and Kansas on election night. Paul Davis talks about the importance of this election to the Kansas Democrats. Paul Davis chooses his most important race in Kansas. Paul Davis talks about the feeling among other Democrats in Kansas. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius addresses the crowd at Abe ‘N Jakes Landing.