Connecting Mayors: The Content and Formation of Twitter Information Networks

Abstract

Politicians interact with each other in polarized and partisan ways when they correspond on social media. Meanwhile, local governments share more substantive information about their service delivery efforts. Mayors operate in both spaces simultaneously (i.e., politics and administration), yet little has been reported about how they balance these positions online. This article examines (1) the extent to which mayors who govern the 100 largest U.S. cities form ties with each other, (2) the messages they create, and (3) the factors that influence their associations. Content analysis identifies common message types, including favorable presentation, symbolic acts, and political positioning statements. Results from quadratic assignment procedure indicate mayors form ties with high-profile counterparts from the same political party who represent larger cities and possess more followers (i.e., more popular accounts). The findings suggest tie formation has less to do with the exchange of best practices—as in policy networks—and more to do with self-promotion and political marketing to constituents at home.

Polarizing Online Elite Rhetoric at the Federal, State, and Local Level During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As a communications tool, Twitter allows politicians to reach a wider and more diverse audience (Gervais & Wilson, 2017), and facilitates direct real-time connections between politicians and constituents, the media, and even other political elites (Parmelee, 2014; Shapiro & Hemphill, 2017; Wukich, 2022). This wide dissemination, easy accessibility, and real-time interactivity makes it a useful tool for the dissemination of crisis-related information and political messaging.…”

“…Since its inception in 2007, Twitter has become an increasingly ubiquitous part of the political communications landscape (Gainous & Wagner, 2013;Strauss et al, 2013), with almost all members of Congress now actively tweeting from one or more twitter accounts and with elected officials at the state and local level also making extensive use of the platform (Das et al, 2022;Yang et al, 2016). 1 As a communications tool, Twitter allows politicians to reach a wider and more diverse audience (Gervais & Wilson, 2017), and facilitates direct real-time connections between politicians and constituents, the media, and even other political elites (Parmelee, 2014;Shapiro & Hemphill, 2017;Wukich, 2022). This wide dissemination, easy accessibility, and real-time interactivity makes it a useful tool for the dissemination of crisis-related information and political messaging.…”

“…However, the degree to which partisan trends in online rhetoric persist may depend, in part, on the contextual factors specific to both the individual and the office. Speaking to this, Das et al (2022) find that the rhetorical approach of governors and members of Congress on Twitter is closely aligned, but that mayors exhibit distinct trends in their tweeting with a greater focus on local content and a reduced focus on negative messaging (Wukich, 2022). As the central body responsible for overseeing pandemic response and preparedness, state and local officials had particular incentive to provide non-partisan information and updates on the pandemic in their communications (Zahry et al, 2023).…”

Real-Time Twitter Data Analysis: A Survey

“…Retweet: The act of forwarding another user's tweet is denoted as "retweeting." In essence, you are sharing another user's tweet in your profile while properly acknowledging the message's original writer [10]. 5.…”

The Reinventing of public administration in the new hybrid world

“…The hybrid approach to public administration is quantified by the extent to which public organizations can solve public problems through the use or development of existing technologies. Innovation in policy development (agenda and formulation) and implementation (implementation and assessment) can also be evident in the community’s and stakeholders' responses to these policies (Hemachandra et al, 2021; Wukich, 2020). Thus, the hybrid approach to public administration demonstrates efficiency and effectiveness in serving public requirements (as previously proposed in the new public management approach), by incorporating approaches from other sectors to assist in successfully addressing public demands (Bozeman and Moulton, 2011; Emery and Giauque, 2014; Moulton, 2009).…”