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Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) may have become a true Twitter believer last month when extreme weather hit his home state. Twitter has become a useful tool in situations where real-time communication matters but coordination can be a challenge. Davis talked about his own involvement in confronting the crisis through Twitter in this week's Follow Friday Q&A. 

{mosads}Q: When did you join Twitter?

A: My official account’s first day was Jan. 17, 2011.  While I was not an early adopter, I decided to join as my staff and I saw the ways that Twitter became such a popular and useful way to connect with constituents and communicate in real-time. My weekly column this week actually reviewed some of the many ways that I have been able to use Twitter to be a more effective representative.

Q: What do you see as the most significant purpose of Twitter for you?

A: My Twitter feed is primarily work-related, so I find it useful for receiving feedback from constituents on legislative matters, keeping the pub! lic informed about resources available to them, and communicating my activity on the public’s behalf in Washington and Kentucky. The Stop Online Piracy Act and the REINS Act are good examples. From time to time though, my Twitter followers will see a tweet regarding personal interests of mine â€" for example, cheering on my alma mater before the Army-Navy game last fall.

PHOTO: Today is 112th #ArmyNavy game. #GOArmy! yfrog.com/mgtdnaj

! â€" Geoff Davis (@RepGeoffDavis) December 10, 2011

Q: Example of a “best” Twitter moment?

A: In early March, the real-time nature of Twitter proved its use for us in Kentucky. A mammoth outbreak of severe weather and tornadoes affected the district, and my Twitter feed and others became a resource for gathering information about the storms and relief efforts. Individuals as varied as a Kentucky meteorologist and a California Red Cross volunteer appreciated the help in spreading the word.

Q: Example of a “worst” Twitter moment?

A: I play things pretty close to the vest when it comes to social media, so I have managed to avo! id a “worst” moment on Twitter. If I had to pick something though, I would probably say the early months of figuring out how to use Twitter and the lingo that goes with it involved a learning curve.

Follow Davis on Twitter @RepGeoffDavis, where he currently has 2,156 followers and is looking for more this week as a contender in the Twitter round of the GOP's New Media Challenge. 

I invite you to share your views about #Congress' activity. Please RT this tweet, follow my feed, and engage your government. #tcot #gop

â€" Geoff Davis (@RepGeoffDavis) April 26, 2012

Previous "Follow Friday” Twitter profiles have included Democratic Reps. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.), Mike Honda(Calif.), Jim Himes (Conn.), Rush Holt (N.J.), Jared Polis (Colo.), Judy C! hu  (Calif.), and Jackie Speier (Calif.) and Republican Reps. Bob Latta (Ohio), Glenn Thompson (Pa.), John Shimkus (Ill.), David Schweikert (Ariz.), Dana Rohrabacher (Calif.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.), Billy Long (Mo.), Paul Gosar (Ariz.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), as well as the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.