Buck McKeon is running a race and he needs your votes – uh, clicks – to come out on top in the annual Congressional New Media Challenge. Right now, he’s in the top eight.

“The New Media Challenge has offered me an even greater opportunity to focus on online and social media outreach to the people of the 25th Congressional District.  I’m thrilled that my staff and I have made it to the top eight of all competing offices.   I’ve been enjoying this new round of competition against Rep. Allen West, utilizing all major social media outlets.

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“I am constantly striving to provide the clarity and transparency to my work in Congress and in Washington. D.C. when I am away from home by way of videos, emails, text messages, Facebook, and more.  These types of efforts and avenues of communication allow for faster, even more impromptu, material for constituents to get a behind the scenes look.

“I am very appreciative of everyone in California for their willingness to support me throughout the competition. I am able to fight for a spot in the Final Four because of regular online constituent engagement, communication, and dialogue, and I appreciate that.

“As the competition progresses and I embark on a possibly more challenging week ahead, I hope that the people of the 25th District of California will continue to connect with me online.”

This year marks the second annual Republican Conference New Media Challenge, where Members of Congress compete in a March Madness style bracket competition. Each week, members compete with a different medium (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or all combined) and receive points for the number of likes, views, or followers they receive. To move on to the next rounds, Members of Congress must get more points than their opponents.

This week, Rep. Buck McKeon will be competing on all three mediums: Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

To help Rep. McKeon advance to the Final Four, online users can follow him on Twitter or like his Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/BuckMcKeon), (http://twitter.com/BuckMcKeon), and watch some of his videos on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/buckmckeon).