Concerns are mounting within the Republican Party regarding the effectiveness of the Trump campaign’s get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts. Recent discussions among GOP members have highlighted that the campaign’s field operations in pivotal swing states appear insufficient compared to their opponents.
Reports indicate that the Trump campaign has lagged in deploying field workers and resources, particularly when contrasted with the Kamala Harris campaign, which has made significant investments in critical battlegrounds. In Pennsylvania alone, Harris’s team has stationed 375 paid staff coordinators, whereas the Trump campaign deploys between 50 and 90.
This disparity extends across all battleground states, where Trump’s campaign relies on right-wing super PACs, such as Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point Action and Elon Musk’s America PAC. These groups, relatively new to voter canvassing and door-knocking initiatives, have faced hurdles. America PAC, led by Musk, recently terminated its door-knocking firm in Nevada and Arizona, seven weeks before Election Day. Minimal activity from these PACs has been observed in swing states like Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Mark Forton, GOP chairman in Michigan’s Macomb County, expressed uncertainty regarding the PACs’ door-to-door efforts. Similarly, Nate Wilkowski from Oakland County mentioned a lack of communication concerning America PAC’s presence.
The Trump campaign’s strategic focus has long been on “low-propensity” voters, particularly evident during the GOP primaries. They employed a tactic termed “10 for Trump” in the Iowa caucuses, successfully securing votes through key influencers at caucus sites. However, since March, the Trump campaign has overhauled the Republican National Committee’s leadership and steered its agenda towards a lean ground game, supplemented by a high emphasis on “election integrity.” This strategy encompasses deploying poll watchers and preparing for legal challenges in contested races.
Despite these preparations, the Trump campaign’s apparent reliance on super PACs for GOTV operations has raised concerns. Historically, comprehensive field operations were a strength for the RNC, but now, groups like Turning Point Action focus narrowly on low-engagement Republican voters, with limited outreach and fundraising shortfalls.
Moreover, the Harris campaign is actively ramping up its efforts, significantly outspending its Republican counterparts, which has led GOP operatives to voice their worries more vocally. The current strategy shift by Trump’s campaign, emphasizing poll monitoring over traditional GOTV activities, has not aligned well with the increased Democratic field presence now untethered by previous Covid restrictions.
GOP officials have raised alarms about the lack of evidence of a robust ground game from Trump and the RNC, comparing it unfavorably to previous election cycles. Concerns persist that without a strong and effective field operation, the Trump campaign may struggle to mobilize its base against the well-organized efforts of the Harris campaign.