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Freshman Rep. Amash takes first place for social media use
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06/27/12 12:05 PM ET
Freshman Rep. Justin Amash (R-Mich.) took first place for best use of social media among House Republicans, according to challenge organizers on Wednesday.
Amash, who sends his own tweets and personally responds on his own Facebook page, has made a habit of posting explanations on Facebook of every vote he has participated in since joining Congress.
He credited social media with “revolutionizing government and making Congress more accountable” in a statement.
“It's an honor to win this year's contest, and it's a big win for the forces of liberty and transparency,” he said.
This was the third annual Republican New Media Challenge, a contest designed to encourage social media use, develop best practices, and foster friendly competition among House Republicans. Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) won the first two years in a row, but gracefully bowed out of the competition this year.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), who started the contest and serves as vice chairwoman of the House Republican Conference that oversees it each year, congratulated Amash, Buchanan, and Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), who came in third and earned a set of steak knives to mark his achievement. He will also get a podcasting microphone to encourage his future efforts.
Amash’s prize is a tablet computer, and Buchanan gets a smartphone.
“The success of the contest should send a strong signal to observers that the Republican Majority in the House is committed to listening, engaging, and staying connected with our constituents,” McMorris Rodgers said in a statement.
According to her office, this year 96 members and committees total participated in the seven-week challenge, generating more than 50,000 new Facebook likes, Twitter followers and YouTube subscribers for GOP conference members.
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