Las Vegas Sun editorial cartoonist Mike Smith took first place in the Best of the West journalism contest. The Best of the West is an award honoring professional journalists in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Second place went to Mike Keefe of the Denver Post and third place went to Jack Ohman of The Oregonian.
From the judges:
Smith wins first place with a portfolio that includes cartoons on protests at military funerals, America’s addiction to oil, the debate over immigration and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Mike Smith makes sharp points about some of the biggest issues facing America, and does it with subtle but biting humor,” the judges wrote. “His technique of a build-up that leads to a punch-line is effective.”
The Best of the West honors journalists working in newspapers, magazines and news websites in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.