“Politicians vs. Press” Spelling Bee

Livestream will begin at 7:15pm EDT.

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The relationship between members of Congress and the journalists who cover them can be testy at times, but on September 21, 2016 it will be all fun and games as lawmakers and reporters square off in the Politicians vs. Press Spelling Bee at the legendary National Press Club in downtown Washington.

2013 champion Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) leveraged his Press Club Spelling Bee victory into a 2016 vice presidential nomination. 2015 victor Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) will be back to defend his title this year against fellow lawmakers and a rejuvenated Washington press corps that is seeking its first ever victory in the history of the event that drew more than 500 spectators last year.

This year's Politicians Team includes Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill), Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif), Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn), Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla).

Representing the Press Team are 2015 runner-up Karoun Demirjian (The Washington Post), Clinton Yates (ESPN’s "The Undefeated"), Carrie Budoff Brown (POLITICO), Angela Greiling Keane (Bloomberg), Art Swift (Gallup), and Rod Kuckro (E&E News).

The Bee will be officiated by Dr. Jacques Bailly, the Scripps National Spelling Bee's official pronouncer and 1980 winner of the competition. 2016 co-champions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Jairam Hathwar of Painted Post, New York, and Nihar Janga of Austin, Texas will serve as guest judges for the event.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the National Press Club Journalism Institute which provides training, resources, education and career development programs to media and communications professionals, awards scholarships to the next generation of journalists and continually recognizes excellence in journalism and advocates for press freedom worldwide.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., program to begin at 7:15 p.m. There will be a cash bar and light snacks provided.

Online ticket sales end at 5 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door (as supplies last).

Livestream will begin at 7:15pm EDT.

Sponsored by

The relationship between members of Congress and the journalists who cover them can be testy at times, but on September 21, 2016 it will be all fun and games as lawmakers and reporters square off in the Politicians vs. Press Spelling Bee at the legendary National Press Club in downtown Washington.

2013 champion Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) leveraged his Press Club Spelling Bee victory into a 2016 vice presidential nomination. 2015 victor Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) will be back to defend his title this year against fellow lawmakers and a rejuvenated Washington press corps that is seeking its first ever victory in the history of the event that drew more than 500 spectators last year.

This year's Politicians Team includes Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill), Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif), Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn), Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla).

Representing the Press Team are 2015 runner-up Karoun Demirjian (The Washington Post), Clinton Yates (ESPN’s "The Undefeated"), Carrie Budoff Brown (POLITICO), Angela Greiling Keane (Bloomberg), Art Swift (Gallup), and Rod Kuckro (E&E News).

The Bee will be officiated by Dr. Jacques Bailly, the Scripps National Spelling Bee's official pronouncer and 1980 winner of the competition. 2016 co-champions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Jairam Hathwar of Painted Post, New York, and Nihar Janga of Austin, Texas will serve as guest judges for the event.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the National Press Club Journalism Institute which provides training, resources, education and career development programs to media and communications professionals, awards scholarships to the next generation of journalists and continually recognizes excellence in journalism and advocates for press freedom worldwide.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., program to begin at 7:15 p.m. There will be a cash bar and light snacks provided.

Online ticket sales end at 5 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door (as supplies last).