Which strategy involves winning early and winning big in political campaigns?

The Front-Runner Strategy involves securing a strong lead in the early phases of a political campaign, aiming to establish momentum and visibility that can discourage competition. Campaigns adopting this approach focus on making significant wins early on, such as winning primaries or gaining endorsements, to signal strength and viability to voters, media, and potential donors. This strategy is effective because once a candidate projects confidence and success, it tends to attract more support, resources, and media attention, creating a self-reinforcing cycle where early victories lead to more victories.

In contrast, grassroots campaigning emphasizes building support at the community level through individual interactions and mobilizing local volunteers. Incumbency advantage refers to the inherent benefits that sitting politicians have due to their established presence and recognition. Moderate messaging is about appealing to a broader segment of the population by adopting centrist positions, which may not necessarily align with winning early or big. Therefore, the distinction of the Front-Runner Strategy lies in its specific focus on achieving quick, decisive victories that can set the tone and trajectory for the rest of the campaign.