HERE’S HOW CAMPAIGNS WORK: When a candidate decides to run, they hire external consultants to come in and generate content—TV scripts, copy, social media posts. And the issue with this is twofold: one, these guys (and they usually are male) are an archaic part of the Washington establishment; two, they’re often paid on media buy commission, creating a huge and obvious bias.

“I’ve never understood why consultants are responsible for content,” Chaudhary explains. “They’ve never written a book, never made a movie. And they’ve never run for office, so, why are they leading campaigns?”

The answer? Because that’s how it’s been done—at least since Reagan first popularized consultants in the 1980s.

“I find this model troubling,” Chaudhary continues. “Because consultants aren’t motivated to educate voters. They’re motivated by money—a lot of money. Take a standard 30 second TV ad, which can run up to $10, 15, 20MM per buy. A consultant might take home 15% of that.”

Take this Donald Trump video as an example (although democrats, too, fall guilty to this trend). Everyone agrees these “mass appeal” advertisements are less effective than more targeted messaging, like social media. Consultants know they’re ineffectual, but don’t want to part with the hefty paycheck.

“The problem, being, every dollar wasted on ineffective tactics means one less dollar toward an authentic, genuine campaign—toward helping you choose a candidate. I’m worried our elections have become more of a business than a platform for ideas.”