Five governors, three senators, a neurosurgeon and a former reality TV star and businessman took the stage Thursday night.
Only one emerged with more than 100 Twitter mentions from the Hill and an unwillingness to promise he won't mount a third-party bid for president. Members of Congress and their staffs mentioned Donald Trump more than any other candidate in Thursday's top-10 debate. These were the candidates by order of tweets:
1. Donald Trump: 150
2. Marco Rubio: 88
3. Jeb Bush: 38
3. Ben Carson: 38
5. John Kasich: 34
6. Scott Walker: 29
7. Ted Cruz: 23
8. Chris Christie: 22
9. Rand Paul: 20
10. Mike Huckabee: 11
These were the Hill's top tweets:
Jillian Neville, digital media director, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.):
"#GOPdebate side notes: Christie wins best tie. Dr. Carson probably gives nice hugs."
Sam McCullough, communications director, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.):
"'they call me jeb because I earned it. and they call me Jeb! because I have a terrible graphic designer.'"
"trump is just shruggie with hair. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ "
Jessica Seale, digital director, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas):
"Breaking: Donald Trump revealed to America that illegal immigration is happening. #GOPDebate"
Elise Tollefson, legislative assistant, Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.):
"Donald Trump just endorsed pay to play. I'm just working a broken system, guys. #FoxDebate"
Tara DiJulio, communications director, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.):
"'When they call, I give.' Remind me to call Trump!"
Anna Esten, associate legislative assistant, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.):
"Why on earth did Donald Trump want Hillary Clinton at his wedding? This is a confusing aside but I like it. #GOPDebate"
Kyle Kizzier, legislative director, Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Mich.):
"Under Trump's rules for political giving...a lot of politicians owe me a wedding gift. #GOPDebate #FOXNEWSDEBATE"
Joe Russo, coalitions director, House Judiciary Committee:
"The donation from Trump to Hillary we should be talking about is him Ross Perot-ing the eventual GOP nominee"
Matt Inzeo, communications director, Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.):
"Jeb! on Iraq: I last prepped for this question 8 weeks ago"
Courtney Weaver, communications director, Rep. Randy Weber (R-Texas):
"Trump's foreign policy: Trump Hotels everywhere!!! #GOPDebate"
Austin Manger, field representative, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.):
"I love that during the break, all the candidates congregate to the sides of the stage and talk...... Except Trump. #nofriends"
Justin Wein, legislative director, Rep. David Price (D-N.C.):
"This is the best episode of SNL in years! #debate #Republicandebate#FoxDebate #GOPdebate"
Former Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.):
"You can't ignore Trump, he dominates the debate!"
