It actually begins when they get staff on board when they decide to run.
Some years back, I was in charge of the construction of a large military project. A Tea Party candidate had supplanted a long time Dem congressman who was noted as pro-miltary over a long career. As I recall it, the new Chief of Staff was the brother of the Democrat’s Campaign Manager and they were going around to all contractors just to let them know the established avenues of monetary support were still greased for those that supported the machine.
It was then I had the further confirmation that being the “Tea Party” candidate meant very little.
There is no hope for anybody with the Republican label. The party is what it is I’m afraid.
Nothing will ever change as long as we rely on the GOP as “our party”.
A new party is our only hope. Imagine what it must be like to vote for a party that actually stands for something.