[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/30/kennedy.foursquare.twitter.jpg caption="Kennedy's tweet pointing out he just checked in on Foursquare"]Washington (CNN) – Patrick Kennedy, a 27-year-old Democrat from Arkansas, is an example of the next generation of political candidates. He is on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and is the first congressional candidate to use Foursquare, a location-based social network that allows friends to share their location by "checking in."

"Meeting Chief Kirk Lane (@ Benton Police Dept)," Kennedy wrote in a Foursquare message Monday, which simultaneously also sent out a tweet on @ArkansasKennedy.

An hour later Kennedy was on the move: "Getting ready to meet with County Judge Lanny Fite. (@ Saline County Courthouse)."

"I have always been attracted to new, budding technologies," Kennedy told CNN.

As a young candidate, Kennedy has less money than his opponents, but he may have more technological know-how. Before running for Congress, Kennedy worked at MTV as a street team political reporter mixing new technology and traditional media to encourage the youth to participate in the 2008 election.

"I do not have any personal finances so [I] have to be more creative in outreach to communities and constituencies. Social media, if used creatively, can do just as an effective job," Kennedy said. "Foursquare is a new age populist tool. Today's world is all about fundraising and being in your office on the phone. I want to shake hands and listen out there and I want people to keep track of me as a populist candidate."
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