Political Science uses a concept called “the shadow docket” when studying supreme courts. The shadow docket are those decisions made about matters not on the official docket, such as whether to accept a case for review or dodge it.
In presidential elections, a new concept is “the shadow primary.” This is where inside elites work to dislodge a party’s putative nominee. Shadow primaries involve policy goals, strategies, key resources, and may involve more than one suitor vying to become the installed candidate.
Large-cap donors play a key role in dislodging the putative nominee. In normal primaries, donors are said to facilitate democracy. They, along with voters, determine the viability of candidates and public policy positions. If money dries up, the candidate quits the race.
In shadow primaries, the donors play a critical role in effectively dislodging the person who won the primary election. They, in effect, amend the primary election result. The donors are not delegates to the convention. Shadow primaries can’t occur after the convention ends.