Lots of leadership ( I refuse to play as anyone with less than 4 Leadership) and always, always, always take advantage of high state momentum to create as many foot solidiers as possible. Even in states that you have a lock on, because then they will generate cash.
Something I just found out recently. Remember, when you travel and have an activity on the same turn, the travel always comes last. So if you are traveling from Washington to Ohio and make a speech on abortion in the same turn that speech will be made in Washington, not Ohio (not a good idea if you have a right-wing possition on it).
I figured that out when I did that in California! LOL