As the 2024 presidential election approaches, Donald Trump's campaign is implementing a different approach compared to his 2020 bid. The campaign is focusing on efficiency by reducing staff and expenses, particularly cutting back on physical offices deemed unnecessary. Instead, they are emphasizing data modeling, microtargeting, and collaboration with wealthy conservative groups to secure the 270 electoral votes needed for victory in November.
One key ally in this strategy is Turning Point Action (TPA), an affiliate of Turning Point USA founded by Trump supporter Charlie Kirk. TPA plans to invest $108 million in a get-out-the-vote effort in battleground states like Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which Trump aims to reclaim after losing them to President Joe Biden in 2020.
The campaign's reliance on outside groups for field work has drawn criticism from Democratic operatives, who highlight Biden's more extensive ground game operation. However, Trump's team defends their approach, emphasizing the use of 'relational organizing' through hired 'ballot chasers' to engage with right-leaning low propensity voters who did not participate in recent elections.
TPA's program involves building relationships with specific community members to ensure voter turnout, with a focus on areas where Republicans have potential support. The campaign believes that targeting these voters could be pivotal in securing victory, especially in states where the margin of victory was narrow in previous elections.
While some Republican operatives view the reliance on outside groups as risky, Trump's campaign sees it as a necessary strategy given their financial challenges compared to Biden's well-funded operation. The campaign's unconventional approach underscores a shift in traditional campaign strategies and highlights the evolving landscape of political campaigning.
