No slot anywhere uncontested.

Talk with the people everywhere. Let them see we all want the same basic things, you'll win a few over. At a minimum they would respect you more for expressing your opinion and explaining what you stand for. That woud at least give you a foothold in areas we've been writing off in order to “focus resources elsewhere.”

Local candidates just need to be on the ballot. $250 in some places. That's all they would need to be there to catch the anti-incumbent vote, to at least have an alternative for voters, in the event of a scandal.

Not being there to defend your beliefs looks weak. Be everywhere.