[Maritime Q-Scout]

I really believe that you need to be doing community building early.

Find candidates and campaign teams that are from the area you are courting. Have them build relationships building up to an election. Don't talk politics, don't campaign, just build friendships, partnerships and help the community grow.

Then when nomination time comes, put forth those with roots in the community forward. Spend the actual election campaign identifying and solidifying support for the individual.

That's how you win in "traditional" areas. I'm not voting Democrat I'm voting for Joe Smith. Then Joe Smith is there for a while, steps aside, puts his arm around the next guy and voila it's now a Democrat stronghold. (You can replace Democrat with party of choice).