Hello Merge Tag: Where Social Media and Politics Intersect The Digital Divide That Cost Republicans Virginia with Eric Wilson, Center for Campaign Innovation
Jan 6, 2026
Eric Wilson, a political technologist and executive director of the Center for Campaign Innovation, delves into the vital role of digital campaigning in elections. He reveals stark contrasts between Democratic and Republican strategies in Virginia, highlighting why Republicans struggle with digital tactics. Discussing issues like grassroots fundraising and effective email strategies, he argues that cohesive tools and better site management are essential. Wilson emphasizes that adopting best practices could significantly sway close elections, urging campaigns to think differently for future success.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Digital Stack Moves Close Races
- Digital signals like site speed, CMS choice, and email capture correlate with election outcomes in tight races.
- Stacking digital best practices can be worth about a 1% margin in competitive contests.
Productized Playbook vs. Ad-Hoc Sites
- Democrats showed a standardized, productized down-ballot playbook using professional CMSs and CRMs.
- Republican sites were often ad hoc, static, or built cheaply, reflecting operational gaps.
Match Service Models To Down-Ballot Needs
- Deliver services to candidates in a model that fits down-ballot economics rather than relying on paid-media commissions.
- Build affordable, repeatable products for websites, email, and ads to reach more campaigns.