Episode 42: Understanding Modern Campaigns, with Eric Wilson from Center for Campaign Innovation

Three decades ago, Bob Dole’s 1996 bid for the White House became the first presidential campaign to have a website. But nowadays, campaigns use a huge range of tools to engage supporters, raise money, win over persuadable voters, and gain an edge over their competitors. To discuss some challenges faced by modern campaigns, Decision Desk HQ Chief Elections Analyst Geoffrey Skelley spoke with Eric Wilson, the executive director of the Center for Campaign Innovation. The Center puts together regular reports, including conducting its own field experiments, about how technological innovations can help campaigns. Eric is himself a veteran of many political campaigns, and he also runs the Campaign Trend newsletter.---► Geoffrey Skelley on X: https://x.com/geoffreyvs► Eric Wilson on X: https://x.com/ericwilson► Center for Campaign Innovation: https://campaigninnovation.org/► Campaign Trend newsletter: https://campaigntrend.com---► DDHQ Votes: https://votes.decisiondeskhq.com/► DDHQ SUBSTACK: https://decisiondeskhq.substack.com/► Join DDHQ’s DISCORD: https://discord.com/invite/ddhq---CHAPTERS1:42 Introducing Eric Wilson, Center for Campaign Innovation3:52 Changing digital space around campaigns6:44 Social media, authenticity & campaign work (Mamdani vs. Pratt)10:45 Differences between the parties’ use of digital tools15:31 Democrats’ current edge in email deliverability 25:27 Field experiment in direct mail to boost GOP turn out31:58 Text messaging to make canvassing more effective36:44 Looking for any edge & maximizing campaign efficiencies

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