Democrats laughed at us when we told them that we were going to fight fire with fire and match their ground game strategy.
Well, who’s laughing now?
After knocking on over 510,000 doors and securing 34.5% of the mail-in vote for Republicans, my organization Citizens Alliance’s adventurous initiative “The Pennsylvania Chase” helped deliver the Keystone state and helped propel Donald Trump back to the White House. It was a monumental win, not only for Pennsylvania but for the nation. We launched “The Pennsylvania Chase” with a bold goal of improving Trump’s mail-in vote percentage from 22.9% to 33%.
Hitting 34.5% of mail-in votes and delivering the win was made possible by the flawlessly run Trump presidential campaign and Dave McCormick Senate campaign — plus the tireless efforts of our grassroots coalition with America First Works, Turning Point Action, America PAC, Early Vote Action and others.
Together, we showed that when conservatives adapt, we win.
But let’s be clear: This is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new chapter for the freedom movement.
For years, Democrats have outpaced us in building the infrastructure needed to dominate elections — from early voting to mail-in ballot programs to community organizing. In Pennsylvania, we finally turned the tide. By matching their ground game with a focused, data-driven effort, we broke through barriers and created a blueprint for success. Yet, this infrastructure cannot be a one-time effort. If we treat it as such, we risk losing all the progress we have made.
The systems we built in Pennsylvania — from door-knocking operations to ballot chasing teams — must become a permanent part of our strategy. This means continuing to hire, train and deploy organizers year-round, not just during presidential election seasons.
Democrats have proven the effectiveness of this approach, and it is imperative that conservatives adopt it to ensure sustained success. The model that worked so well in Pennsylvania must be expanded to a non-stop effort.
Our success in Pennsylvania was rooted in engaging voters on the issues that matter most to them. From inflation to education to public safety, we connected with communities by addressing their concerns directly. This hyper-local engagement is crucial to maintaining momentum and fostering trust among voters. It is a strategy that should guide conservative efforts across the nation, ensuring that we meet voters where they are and show that we are fighting for their priorities.
This victory also serves as a reminder that we must prepare for the long game. The 2026 midterms and the 2028 general election are already on the horizon, and Democrats will be more determined than ever to regain ground. Complacency is not an option.
Even more to the point, Democrats have announced they will be back on the ground in Pennsylvania on January 1, 2025, to re-launch their mail-in request efforts for the 2025 judicial races. They don’t let off the gas, and neither will we.
Waiting mere months until the next election cycle to mobilize will only allow our opponents to outpace us.
If we fail to capitalize on this moment, we risk squandering an opportunity that took years to create. The Democrats’ electoral machine remains formidable, and they will work tirelessly to undo the gains we have made. The infrastructure we built in Pennsylvania was not just about winning one election — it was about creating a movement capable of securing victories for years to come.
Conservatives must understand that this victory is not just about celebrating what we have accomplished but about preparing for what comes next.
The success of 2024 proves that grassroots organizing works, and it is a model we must refine and expand if we want to achieve lasting victories. From national leaders to local volunteers, everyone has a role to play in ensuring that the momentum we have built continues to grow.
The stakes are too high to sit back and hope for the best. We have laid the foundation for a stronger, more effective conservative movement. Now, it is up to us to ensure that the gains we have made in 2024 are just the beginning of a brighter future for America.
Let’s get to work.
Cliff Maloney is the CEO of Citizens Alliance and the Founder of “The Pennsylvania Chase” initiative.
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