The ratings give equal weight to the number of followers a Senator has on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, along with the rate of growth and their amount of engagement (the number of tweets, videos uploaded/downloaded and "Likes" on Facebook). The number of times a Senator is mentioned on blogs and traffic to their websites were also factored in.
“This study underscores the reality that social media is not a toy, and that digital literacy and agility are powerful tools in today’s business and political arenas,” said Guthrie. “It appears that U.S. senators are making their comprehension of the social media realm a priority and are using it as a way to engage prospective voters and mobilize grassroots efforts.”
On average, Republicans boast a digital IG that is 5.5 points higher than their Democratic counterparts. Sens. John McCain
John Sidney McCainBiden, Harris stump in battleground Arizona in first joint campaign stop in state Overnight Defense: Pentagon retracing steps of top officials after positive coronavirus case | Trump suggests Gold Star families could have infected him | VP debate brings up military topics Poll shows Biden leading Trump, tight House race in key Nebraska district MORE (R-Ariz.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Scott Brown (R-Mass.) top the rankings, followed by Al Franken
Alan (Al) Stuart FrankenTed Cruz mocks Al Franken over 'I Hate Ted Cruz Pint Glass' GOP Senate candidate says Trump, Republicans will surprise in Minnesota Peterson faces fight of his career in deep-red Minnesota district MORE (D-Minn.) and John Conryn (R-Texas). The lowest scores went to Sens. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed
John (Jack) Francis ReedDems to focus on issues, not character, at Barrett hearings Overnight Defense: Appeals court revives House lawsuit against military funding for border wall | Dems push for limits on transferring military gear to police | Lawmakers ask for IG probe into Pentagon's use of COVID-19 funds Democrats push to limit transfer of military-grade gear to police MORE (D-R.I.) and Thad Cochran
William (Thad) Thad CochranEspy wins Mississippi Senate Democratic primary Bottom Line Mike Espy announces Mississippi Senate bid MORE (R-Miss.).
Senators up for reelection generally lead on every platform, highlighting how campaigns are the most effective means for driving visitors to candidates' social-media offerings. The Republicans' higher scores are a result of their more active participation on Twitter and YouTube, while Democrats retain a five percent advantage on Facebook and see more Web traffic to their Senate.gov sites.
The report also notes that some Republican Senate candidates, such as Carly Fiorina in California and Sharron Angle in Nevada, have huge bases of online support, making it possible the GOP will extend its digital advantage after the midterm elections. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Harry Mason ReidDemocrats step up hardball tactics in Supreme Court fight Meeting Trump Supreme Court pick a bridge too far for some Democrats GOP senators confident Trump pick to be confirmed by November MORE (D-Nev.), Sen. Barbara Boxer
Barbara Levy BoxerThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Harris launch Trump offensive in first joint appearance Bottom line Polls show big bounce to Biden ahead of Super Tuesday MORE (D-Calif.) and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) are the only Democrats up for reelection this year that enjoy large followings online.
