Candidates use apps so their supporters can follow them and make contributions on the go
By Kate Brumback, APMonday, June 21, 2010
iCampaigning? Candidates turning to phone apps
ATLANTA — Running for office? You can make an app for that.
Some candidates for office are going beyond the now-standard Facebook page and Twitter feed. They’re creating iPhone applications so supporters can follow their campaigns and make contributions.
The method has grown in popularity, especially since President Barack Obama showed the power of social networking during the 2008 campaign. For example, candidates in Minnesota, Illinois, California and Georgia all have used apps for their campaigns.
Peter Scheer, executive director of the California-based First Amendment Coalition, says the demand for political apps is likely to grow, especially if they prove to be good fundraising tools.
Apple says it doesn’t keep track of how many campaign apps are among the roughly 225,000 in its app store.
