Our Origin Story: It started with an idea: voters want more options among political candidates and centrist leaders could champion new competition. Supporting these centrist leaders in districts that the two parties historically ignore could strengthen the moderate Democratic faction and change the way political power is decided.
In late 2021, staked with $2M in risk capital, a small team of entrepreneurs built a venture-style diligence process to harness volatility in the electorate, building a bigger pro-democracy team. The opportunity to create change was significant, and the results were staggering.
After a successful yearlong, small-scale trial, the Democracy On O ense program is now positioned for growth. Our approach ahead of the 2024 election is to target up to 6 districts for direct impact.
WINNING THE MIDDLE
All Congressional Races
We are commited to winning seats in the center and center-right
The Problem
The middle is vital to successful democracy. The middle is ignored.
Voters
Unenrolled and independent voters are not being effectively engaged. People talk about independent voters, but who’s talking to them?
Leaders
Center-right and center-le leaders are ignored by the media. Air-time and attention go to the far-right and far-left extremists.
Ineffecient Market
Potentially competitive seats on the center-right remain uncontested.
Democrats spent less than $1M in 27 districts in 2022.
Not engaging the voters in the middle
Leaders in the center are not given a media platform.
Democrats are only really investing in the le and center-le .
LEFT
RIGHT
D Won R Won
IDEOLOGICAL SPECTRUM
The Program
The Democracy On O ense program uses a proven diligence process to identify overlooked and undervalued congressional districts. In these high ROI districts, the Program uses creative tactics to make direct outreach to independent voters, ticket-splitters and ex-Republicans. Paired with smart voter research, the consistent and early outreach creates a greater opportunity to influence persuadable voters and previously uncontested races.
Invest in different places at different times in different ways
We select overlooked congressional districts for investment
Anti-Democracy Incumbent
Seeds of a winning coalition R+3 – R+7 district rated “safe GOP”
Set of potential target Districts
Narrows targets
We invest strategically throughout the whole cycle
Targeted spends: email, mail, texts, ground Voter Research
Carry foward assets to the next cycle
Identifies prime Districts for investment
Launch Democracy On Offense in highest ROI Districts.
We harness voter volatility and elevate voters and leaders in the middle.
We talk with valuable constituencies: unaffiliated voters, ticket-spli ers.
We support brand-differentiated candidates who appeal to swing voters.
OUR RESULTS: 2022
Pu ing Democracy on Offense works
COLORADO-03
WHAT WE DID
• Conducted polling
• Primary election voter engagement
• Party-switching voter identification
RESULTS
• 546 vote margin
• Vote went to recount
CALIFORNIA-41
Boosted the bipartisan credentials and Republican endorsements Lauren Boebert
RESULTS
• 11,100 vote margin
• Ranked 3rd most overperforming Democratic campaign in any GOP district.
Our Plan for the Future
After
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Lauren Harper Co-founder
Former SC State Director, Beto for America
Advisor to Mayor Steve Benjamin
Liam Kerr Co-founder
Former MA State Director, Democrats for Education Reform
Naomi Wya COO
Former Chief of Staff, Philadelphia Public Schools
Cabinet member in administration of Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA)
