the 1776 project has spent nearly $3 million, according to s.e.c. filings across the u.s. >> the republicans are realizing their base of support is expandable. >> reporter: dr. robert stein is a professor of political science. >> i've seen it here in harris county, is they build a bench, what makes a good candidate is someone who has run for office, won and raised money. >> reporter: whatever the topic of contention may be, there's little doubt the strategy is working. >> it's a playbook that you see in states over than florida. >> do you think republicans are winning from that playbook right now? >> they're killing it. they're absolutely killing it. what are we talking about? we're hear because of that. >> reporter: if you look more closely at some of the states where groups like the 1776 project are spending their money it's a lot of battleground states, whether it's virginia, florida, texas, pennsylvania,