Democratic Donors Are Deploying a ‘Moneyball’ Strategy to Tip Local Races

It’s been a longstanding knock on the Democratic Party: Its national candidates might win more votes, but its state and local officials fall short in races that matter for everything from abortion access to certifying elections.

Growing initiatives backed by venture capitalists and others are trying to narrow the gap with Republicans, whose billionaire donors from the Kochs to Ken Griffin have focused for years on swinging thousands of down-ballot races. The pitch of the platforms, like Oath and the States Project, is a “Moneyball” style approach to political giving, driving dollars to tight contests that are, in theory, most likely to tip the scales. The States Project also advises candidates and lawmakers.