Social media played a big role in 2014 Florida politics. Whether it was breaking news from Twitter, announcements from possible presidential candidates considering a run in 2016, or even parody accounts, social media bore witness to all the highs and lows this year.
Here are some of the highlights:
Florida Democratic Party and Republican Party of Florida Duke It Out
As in any election, the two main political parties in Florida delivered back-and-forth barbs fairly constantly until the November election.
The Republican Party of Florida routinely crashed question-and-answer sessions from former Gov. Charlie Crist on Facebook, responding directly to Crists answers on many questions. Likewise, the Florida Democratic Party sparred with the RPOF on Twitter, reaching a fever pitch on Nov. 4.
One of the most active hashtags in college football belongs to Florida State University. Twitter users routinely take the site by storm in a way not many other colleges have done -- #FSUTwitter has become a sounding board for real-time tweets for anything and everything including football, campus news updates and general commentary on the state of affairs at the Tallahassee-based university.
In an unsurprising turn of events, FSUs attempt to create a question-and-answer session with quarterback Jameis Winston backfired immediately. What started out as a good idea quickly became a huge social media blunder, with questions from users honing in on Winstons alleged theft of crab legs and rape allegations.
Medical Marijuana Lights a Fire on Twitter
The campaign to legalize medical marijuana in the Sunshine State took off immensely through social media this year. Although Amendment 2 didn't get enough votes to pass, Twitter and Facebook were aflutter with lengthy conversations both in support and against the constitutional amendment.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan was particularly vocal with his support of the amendment, urging voters to vote #YesOn2 Nov. 4.
Charlie Crists fan has had its own Twitter account since 2009, but the former Republican governor-Democratic gubernatorial candidate's cool companion truly hit its stride this year after it became the focus of one of the debates between Gov. Rick Scott and Crist. The fan even received its own Twitter hashtag, #fangate, prompting thousands of tweets and a horde of new followers.
The spotlight shone fairly brightly on the fan for the remainder of the election, but since Crist lost his second attempt at the governors mansion, it the fan apparently is sitting lonely and silent.
Read one post-election tweet:
Life sucks, yo.
Jeb Bush Maybe, Might Be Considering a Run for President
The former Florida governor took to both Facebook and Twitter in December to announce he was considering running for president in 2016.
Bush posted on Twitter and Facebook to say he was actively exploring the possibility, paving the way for a third Bush to make a play at the presidency.
In the coming months, I hope to visit with many of you and have a conversation about restoring the promise of America, read the post.
Hows that for foreshadowing?
