By Paul Fulton, Jr., Vice President

While the General Assembly was in session, I -- like many other Georgians -- turned to Twitter to find real-time updates on the potential fate of legislation as it bounced from committee hearings to floor votes, crossed chambers or died a slow death.

It almost goes without saying that Twitter and other social platforms are playing an important role in Duffey's public affairs initiatives this year. But I'll say it because, as surprising as it seems, not everyone is utilizing the most basic social tools to support their public affair strategies.

For example, social engagement was one of many components we utilized to successfully pass GA HB 505 through the House and the Senate -- in less than 30 days -- on behalf of our client, the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia.

Once the governor signs it, as he is expected to do in the coming weeks, Georgians will have easier access to physical therapy treatment and will endure fewer unnecessary co-pays throughout the course of their care.

During that initiative, we began to wonder which state Senators and Representatives had amassed the most followers on Twitter. So we dove in and took a look. Here's what we found.*

Ga. State Senators with the Largest Twitter Audiences

Dean Burke(R), @Dr.DeanBurke
District 11, Bainbridge
16.4K followers

Butch Miller (R), @Butch_Miller
District 49, Gainesville
8,225 followers

Fran Millar (R), @Fran_Millar
District 40, Atlanta
6,051 followers

Ben Watson (R), @RepBenWatson
District 1, Savannah
4,453 followers

Nan Orrock (D), @SenNanOrrock
District 36, Atlanta
2,780 followers

Joshua McKoon (R), @JoshMcKoon
District 29, Columbus
2,625 followers

Curt Thompson (D), @curt_thompson
District 5, Tucker
2,446 followers

Hunter Hill (R), @Hunter1Hill
District 6, Atlanta
2,266 followers

Judson Hill (R), @JudsonHill
District 32, Marietta
2,187 followers

David Shafer (R), @DavidShafer
District 48, Duluth
2,000 followers

Ga. State Representatives with the Largest Twitter Audiences

Buzz Brockway (R), @buzzbrockway
District 102, Lawrenceville
5,278 followers

Stacey Abrams (D), @staceyabrams
District 89, Atlanta
4,340 followers

Ronnie Mabra (D), @electmabra
District 63, Fayetteville
3,366 followers

Sharon Cooper (R), @RepSharonCooper
District 43, Marietta
2,746 followers

Dar'shun Kendrick (D), @DarshunKendrick
District 93, Lithonia
2,521 followers

Allen Peake (R), @AllenPeake
District 141, Macon
2,474 followers

Scott Holcomb (D), @RepScottHolcomb
District 81, Atlanta
2,407 followers

Brett Harrell (R), @brettharrell
District 106, Snellville
2,266 followers

Simone Bell (D), @simonebellhd58
District 58, Atlanta
1,603 followers

Mary Margaret Oliver (D), @mmo_mary
District 82, Decatur
1,505 followers

Looking at followers alone is a basic and imperfect measurement of influence (e.g., Are they the right followers?). But to most people, a follower is a follower -- and the more, the (perceived) better.

From a tactical standpoint, Twitter can give a strong advantage in driving real-time influence during critical public affairs and public relations initiatives.

When advocates, supporters and even opponents use Twitter to its full capacity, it has the potential to create a tidal wave of conversations about a particular cause or legislative issue -- and just might help spur the right kind of uproar to affect change.

*Followers as of Monday, April 6, 2015