National Press Club

Photos: 2026 "Press vs. Politicians" Spelling Bee

Joseph Luchok

June 10, 2026

Photo Credit: Alan Kotok The coveted 2026 Press vs Politicians Spelling Bee trophy.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok National Press Club president and CQ Roll Call financial reporter Mark Schoeff Jr. welcomes audience members.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok National Press Club Journalism Institute executive director Beth Francesco announces the event sponsors.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Press team, R-L: Katie Vogel, editor at Associated Press; Rachel Cohen, reporter at Federal News Network; Alex Clearfield, Bloomberg Industry Group; Angela Greiling Keane, politics editor at CNBC; and Kelly Chase, producer at BBC.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Politicians team, R-L: Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), Rep. Sean Kasten (D-IL), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and congressional staff member Shannon Kennedy, filling in for Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA).
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Dr. Brian Sietsema, lexicographer and the event's pronouncer, begins giving words for contestants to spell.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) reacts when told she correctly spelled her given word.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI) reacts when told she correctly spelled her given word.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok BBC producer Kelly Chase thinks about the spelling of the word she's given.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Sean Kasten (D-IL) reacts when told the word he spelled is incorrect.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Katie Vogel, D.C. politics editor at Associated Press, reacts when told she correctly spelled her given word.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Rachel Cohen, defense reporter at Federal News Network, spells out the word she's given.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Alex Clearfield, team lead at Bloomberg Industry, reacts when told the word he spelled is incorrect.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Rachel Cohen, defense reporter at Federal News Network, receives the first prize trophy from NPC president Mark Schoeff Jr.
Photo Credit: Alan Kotok Rachel Cohen, defense reporter at Federal News Network, holds the first prize trophy in the 2026 spelling bee.

Relationships between politicians and the media who cover them have become increasingly intense, but on June 10, 2026, in the National Press Club’s historic ballroom, fun and friendly competition prevailed as lawmakers and reporters competed in the uproariously entertaining Press & Politicians Spelling Bee.