Louisiana’s gubernatorial candidates are using text messaging as another way to reach out to voters. You may have received a text message from Sharon Hewitt, Richard Nelson, Stephen Waguespack or one of the other candidates.
“A lot of these text messages are simply about trying to build familiarity with the candidates and where they stand on various issues and to simply build name recognition,” said LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan.
Hogan says even campaigns that do not have a lot cash can use text messages as a way to reach out to voters.
“These text messages can be targeted much more precisely to audiences, it’s a much more efficient way as well as less costly,” said Hogan.
Hogan says text messages from candidates can also backfire on them as it might anger potential voters.
“Voters have said that about recent years about television commercials and it’s the same way in their mailboxes, tremendous amount of fliers and mailers from campaigns,” said Hogan.
The FCC says political text messages can be sent without permission as long as the sender does not use autodialing technology.
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