You really are naive. The party makes press releases, petitions their friends in the press for favorable attention, asks donors to donate, organizes State level efforts, etc.
You make it sound as if someone just starts a campaign and asks for donations and makes it or not.
You are the naive one. People get elected through campaigns not through party press releases. Primaries decide who gets nominated, and primary campaigns are how its done.
The party efforts are for organization and the general election.
“You make it sound as if someone just starts a campaign and asks for donations and makes it or not.”
Maybe after you have helped dozens of campaigns like I have, you’ll figure it out.