The race for the Democratic presidential nomination came to a grinding halt — even if only by the numbers — Tuesday night when Sen. Barack Obama secured a victory.

On a night of historic proportions, Georgia's Democratic leaders and supporters spoke to the occasion:

State Rep. Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus:

"I think Democrats are excited to have a nominee and ecstatic that change is finally on the way.

"It's clear that the American people want change, and they're not going to get change from John McCain, who has been in the Senate for 26 years and supported policies that American people are tired of.

"I think Senator Clinton is going to help unify the Democratic Party. I don't read too much into the fact that she didn't concede or call him the nominee. Election night is the night to thank your supporters, not a night to announce large decisions."

State Sen. David Adelman (D-Atlanta), member of Obama's national committee:

"Tonight ends an historic campaign. It's one where from the first day of this campaign, Sen. Obama had a message that there's no problem we can't solve if we change our politics. And that principal message has remained throughout the campaign.

"He's inspired millions of people who have never participated in American politics before, especially young people. The decision with regard to who will be the Democratic vice presidential candidate is solely one for Sen. Obama, and I trust his judgement."

State Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta):

"I imagine this will be a moment for me like the moment when my parents saw Martin Luther King give the 'I Have a Dream' speech and when they saw John F. Kennedy challenge people to be better citizens.

"To see where Sen. Obama came from and what he's gone through and how he's earned it ... that he is where he is through merit and talent and hard work and that he's earned it ... it's really emotional ... much more than I thought it would be."

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur):

"I am very moved by Hillary's elegant speech. Anyone who's ever lost an election knows how hard it is to stand up and thank your family and supporters. Yet, she continues to demonstrate tenacity.

"I think Hillary's comments for voters can't be ignored. It's part of bringing the party together.

"I think that she set the right tone tonight that her voters cannot be ignored, and that what she wants is for this nation to have (universal) health care.

"I think it was right for her not to concede tonight, and right for her to recognize that she has 18 million voters that want to be recognized."

Kenny Walker, Democratic political consultant who worked in Gov. Roy Barnes' administration:

"It has been an historic run and race for Sen. Obama. Tonight he stands on precipice of an unprecedented accomplishment. I did not think in my lifetime that we would have a (black) president. America has turned the corner by nominating him.

"The Clintons just don't seem to know when the game is over. This night should be about Barack Obama, not what Hillary Clinton is going to do next."

Voter George Gaumond, 62, Valdosta:

"Ah, Pennsylvania seems so long ago!

"I think as the civility increased between Obama and Clinton, people relaxed and thankfully recorded their votes. While many felt that Clinton should have withdrawn from the race after Obama's victory seemed mathematically certain, I believe that she will be thanked and praised for giving primary voters a choice in every state and commonwealth."