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Lesser Known Candidates Better at Using Social Media
The leading political candidates in use of social media are the lesser-known candidates in their respective races.

Michael R. Cheney, a communication professor at the University of Illinois, studied the use of Facebook, Twitter and You Tube by candidates for statewide office in the Feb. 3 primary. The leading users are Adam Andrzejewski, a Republican running for governor, and Thomas Castillo, a Democrat running for lieutenant governor.

"Social media are oftentimes used by second-tier candidates at this stage in the contest simply because it doesn't cost as much and they don't have the resources to spend in the more traditional areas," he said. "So there is a bit of a disconnect right now between the people who are leading in the polls and the people who are showing a lot of activity on social media."

Gov. Pat Quinn, however, leads in Facebook activity and You Tube views, while he is far behind in Twitter use. Cheney says the governor's campaign staff didn't think Twitter would be worthwhile.

Cheney says some candidates are told to use social media, but are unhappy with the response, so their Twitter account sits dormant for months.

(Illinois Radio Network)
01 04 10 by Newsroom
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