Democrats see a narrow opening to peel away center-right voters bothered by abortion bans and by the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

The candidate is leaning on an unusual canvassing effort funded by Elon Musk. If successful, it could usher in a new era when billionaires dominate ground campaigns.

There are signs that society is moving away from the progressive left’s often strict expectations about how to discuss culture and politics.