Baltimore Mayoral Candidates Using Social Media To Get Message Out

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Candidates for Baltimore mayor are taking their campaigns to a wider audience with broader appeal.

Political reporter Pat Warren has more on the role of social media in this year's race.

There are 13 Democrats and six Republicans in the Baltimore primary election race for mayor, and suddenly, more ways to get the message out.

Mayoral candidate Elizabeth Embry's breakout TV ad is on the air.

Embry is only the second of those 13 candidates on local TV; David Warnock was the first, and Catherine Pugh is on cable.

But those you don't see on TV, you will likely find on social media--on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

"This could be a different kind of campaign. This could be a social media campaign," said political scientist Matthew Crenson.

Candidate DeRay Mckesson counts on it.

"Tweet me, DM me. I want to here from you," his ad says.

In fact, the candidates on TV are also using social media--deep pockets or not.

"When one faction does it, others are going to pick up on it," said Crenson.

"I think all of the candidates--both in this race, but also across the country--are trying to understand what's the right mix of communication styles," Embry said. "So we're doing all of the above and also spending a lot of time on the ground going door to door."

And with forums and mailers and phone calls...

"I think this is going to be, what for Baltimore would be a high turnout election," said Crenson.

And as the candidates get closer to the primary, they'll only get busier.

Early voting starts on April 14. Primary election day is April 26.