Someone started tweeting last week using the handle @RepKeithHeard. Whoever it is used the account to comment on the Red & Black student staffers who walked off the job last week (“@redanddead815 publish emails of 501c3 directors so public can apply pressure NOW @jdGAPolitico #gapol”), then tore into PR consultant Johnathan McGinty for criticizing the staff and moving to the ‘burbs (“@johnemcginty Oconee’s finest- #whiteflight #dixiecrat”).
The account is questionable at first glance, listing Fairburn as Heard’s location, a reference to rumors that he resides in Fayette County rather than Athens. But several Georgia politicos follow the account, including Heard’s campaign manager, Janice Mathis. And it’s not labeled as a parody per Twitter policy.
Heard, though, says it’s not his account. His is @kgheard.
Speaking of social media #fail, Heard’s real account has just seven followers. He’s tweeted only once, a photo of him at the Peachtree Road Race posted July 8. That helps explain why he lost to Spencer Frye, who was all over Twitter and Facebook during he campaign.
So who is the mysterious fake Keith Heard? It’s impossible to say, but whoever it is must be someone who knows Heard, knows McGinty and follows the local political scene closely. Any theories?
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