Ben Carson Leads Facebook Mentions, Jeb Bush Trails During Debate

Social media is becoming an increasingly important factor in determining how the presidential candidates are faring this primary season. Platforms including Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) are abuzz with chatter, especially during debates.

From fiery exchanges to poignant responses, the candidates’ performances are dissected on social media. The FOX Business/Wall Street Journal debate Tuesday was no exception.

Here are the top prime-time debate candidates based on the number of Facebook mentions they received:

1) Ben Carson 2) Donald Trump 3) Rand Paul 4) Ted Cruz 5) Carly Fiorina

Facebook broke down specifically who was most mentioned by each gender:

Men: 1. Rand Paul 2. Ben Carson 3. Donald Trump 4. Ted Cruz 5. Carly Fiorina

Women: 1. Ben Carson 2. Donald Trump 3. Ted Cruz 4. Rand Paul 5. Carly Fiorina

According to Facebook, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was the least talked about candidate among both sexes.

The most talked about issues on Facebook during the debate were taxes, immigration, minimum wage, jobs and health care. The top moment in the debate on Facebook was a heated exchange between Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio over the tax code.

Finally, Facebook released information on the most engaged states during the debate:

1) Virginia 2) New Hampshire 3) Maryland 4) Wisconsin 5) Vermont