Rep. Allen West (R-FL) currently has over 190,000 Facebook fans and 83,000 Twitter followers, a solid social media following that puts him ahead of many other members of Congress, according to OhMyGov's media power rankings today.

The Florida Republican rose to the #5 spot, just short of Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who’s also running for the highly contested Wisconsin Senate seat of retiring Democrat Sen. Herb Kohl.

West's rise in the rankings can be attributed to the media and public's fascination with his highly quotable and sometimes controversial statements, such as his recent comments on topics ranging from Chick-Fil-A to communism.

Despite West's bombast and checkered past, the Congressman still has a cadre of supporters, including a legion of Twitter followers promoting his cause online. One post which has been frequently retweeted reads: 'This man is a prime example of the American success story. Oh, and he has guts'.

Not shy of using emerging technology, West has also made an effort to capitalize on the growing power of apps. An Allen West Facebook app allows users to place 'yard signs' on their Facebook wall, and a separate Allen West bumper sticker app does much the same thing. An Allen West for President Facebook page has gotten over 9,000 likes -- to say nothing of Allen West Republic.

Yet perhaps the greatest example of West's popularity is the ability of his followers to rally around him, despite the slings and arrows his detractors fire at him.

"Don't be discouraged with extreme left attacks on you," @66mms29 tweeted Aug. 16. "People do like u a lot."