Connecticut Democrats compete for new followers on Twitter

Two Connecticut Democrats battled it out to the very end in a one-on-one race for new followers this week.

Rep. Jim Himes eventually graciously conceded to Rep. Chris Murphy on Friday, following a five-day challenge Murphy issued Monday.

Early on, Himes seemed to take the lead, but it ended up being a close race, and both congressmen made last-ditch requests for more followers with mere minutes left in the competition that ended at noon Friday.

Himes tweeted a reference to the 2000 presidential election in his concession: “Reviewed hanging chads with FL, appealed to #SCOTUS, but for good of the country, I concede that @ChrisMurphyCT edges me out. #wellplayed”

The bet was “10k cents” to charity, with Murphy choosing the Spanish Speaking Center of New Britain, a food bank and resource center, and Himes choosing the Coastal Fairfield County Habitat for Humanity.

Both charities won at the end of the day. Himes’s and Murphy’s offices confirmed that each congressman will match the other’s donation to his chosen charity.

Despite coming out second in the race for new followers, Himes is still the winner in total followers. He has 5,561, compared to Murphy’s 3,517.

---