This is my final look at the GOP candidates running for US Senate before the Primary. I am a litttle early with this evaluation (but I have a lot to update between now and the 26th). Interested in the March evaluation? CLICK HERE
The candidates: To see the full list of candidates click here
Richard Douglas: http://douglasmaryland.com/
Chrys Kefalas: https://www.chrysformaryland.com/
Kathy Szeliga: http://www.kathyformaryland.com/
Dave Wallace: http://www.davewallace.us/
Chris Chaffee: http://www.chrischaffeeforussenate.com/
Sean Conner: http://www.seanconnor.us/
John Graziani: ???
Greg Holmes: ???
Joe Hooe: http://www.joehooe.org/
Mark McNicholas: ???
Lynn Richardson: http://www.richardsonforussenate.org/
Anthony Seda: sedaforussenate.com
Richard Shawver: ???
Gary Thomas Yarrington: ???
The Scorecard: (Click the “Yes” or follower numbers below to view the social media page)
| Candidate |
Facebook Followers |
Twitter Followers |
| Chrys Kefalas |
 5,352 (+204) |
16,100 (+200) |
| Richard Douglas |
2,034 (+19) |
373 (+22) |
| Kathy Szeliga |
7,019 (+1109) |
1,692 (+99) |
| Dave Wallace |
2,852 (+117) |
1,677 (+55) |
Notes:
- Still missing some websites for a few candidates. If you see anything I am missing above, shoot me a note and I will update this evaluation.
- Facebook – Szeliga has taken a commanding lead and added significantly more followers than any other candidate over the past month. Kefalas was the clear number two on this platform.
- Twitter – Kefalas added the most new followers and was followed by Szeliga.
A significant factor in evaluating online outreach is looking at follower engagement. In April, I am back to focusing my reviews on Facebook engagement. Here are the numbers for the candidates over the past week:
Notes:
- Szeliga was the most active and had a big advantage with Facebook engagement (likes, comments and shares).
- Kefalas had respectable numbers on Facebook with activity and engagement.
- The other candidates…just not generating the interest of the top two. Wallace is the clear #3 and Douglas is 4th.
Online Outreach Leader in this race: Kathy Szeliga. Her advantages on Facebook by adding the most followers AND having the best engagement gives her the top spot this month. This is the first time I have named Szeliga the online outreach leader (and this is a good month to be the best online).
Szeliga is generally considered the favorite in this race (at least from what I have been able to pick up) and her online efforts will help get out the vote on April 26th. I would not sleep on Kefalas. He has been VERY active and I expect him to push even harder over the next 3 weeks.
I wish all of the candidates good luck.
Of course the reality of followers, likes, and subscribers does not mean a lot when it comes down to voting in the end, but it can show trends in a campaign cycle and makes a great resource for following all of the candidates.
Scott E
