Editor's note: This interview is part of our series on AI-powered campaign tools reshaping down-ballot races. Dan Taylor is the founder of Invictus, an AI campaign consulting platform that helps grassroots candidates compete against better-funded opponents.
PeekWire: What types of down-ballot races benefit most from AI-driven campaign consulting?
Dan Taylor: Down-ballot races where the candidate is outspent and outgunned benefit the most. Think county commissioner, state house, city council, school board — races where the candidate doesn't have a $10,000 monthly retainer for a traditional consultant. AI lets them access the same strategic framework that winning campaigns have used for decades, but at a fraction of the cost. We've seen candidates in races with budgets under $5,000 win using our platform.
PeekWire: How does your platform adapt a campaign plan to districts with very different sizes and budgets?
Dan Taylor: Our system starts with 23 diagnostic questions about the race, combined with district-specific data and our campaign playbook. The AI models are trained on winning campaign strategies from thousands of races across different district sizes and budget levels. So whether you're running for a small-town council seat with a $2,000 budget or a state legislative race with $50,000, the plan adjusts. It's not a one-size-fits-all template — it's a custom plan built for your specific race.
PeekWire: What is the most common strategic mistake you see down-ballot candidates make?
Dan Taylor: Trying to do everything and ending up doing nothing well. Candidates spread themselves thin across every possible voter contact method instead of focusing on the highest-impact activities for their specific district. Our platform forces them to prioritize — here's what will move the needle in your race, here's what won't. That focus is often the difference between winning and losing.
PeekWire: How do you measure whether a campaign plan is working once the race is underway?
Dan Taylor: We track leading indicators, not just the final vote count. Are you hitting your voter contact goals? Are your fundraising benchmarks on track? Is your message resonating in early testing? The platform gives candidates real-time feedback so they can adjust mid-campaign instead of waiting until election day to find out what went wrong.
PeekWire: What should a candidate look for when deciding between a traditional consultant and an AI platform?
Dan Taylor: It comes down to budget and need for hands-on support. If you have $10,000+ a month and want someone to hold your hand through every decision, a traditional consultant makes sense. But if you're a grassroots candidate who needs a solid, proven plan and the tools to execute it yourself — without the high price tag — an AI platform like Invictus is the better fit. We give you the roadmap; you drive the car.
Invictus has worked with clients in over 30 elections since launching in March, achieving a 70% win rate. For more information, visit winwithinvictus.com.