A single image which highlights a lighter moment specifically on the campaign trail, a moment which capitalizes on an ironic take, a funny juxtaposition, humorous interaction or a just plain silly moment — not merely an “in between” frame
First Place
Doug Mills, The New York Times
Getting A Hug Lift From A Republican: President Obama is lifted in the air by Scott Van Duzer, owner of the Big Apple Pizza, in Ft. Pierce, Florida, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012. Van Duzer, who is a Republican, was so excited that President Obama made the surprise visit to his pizza parlor that he lifted him up when he greeted him. Obama bought a number of pizza’s for his campaign staff.
Second Place
Joe Burbank, The Orlando Sentinel
Securing Newt: Security detail wait for Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich to step out of his campaign bus outside a voting precinct in Celebration, Fla., near Walt Disney World in central Florida, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012.
Third Place
Joe Burbank, The Orland Sentinel
Sorry, Wrong Number: Volunteers react as President Barack Obama is accidentally connected to a wrong phone number while he was calling to thank campaign volunteers, at the Obama For America Orlando field office, in Orlando, Fla. Sunday, October 28, 2012.
Award of Excellence
Melina Mara, The Washington Post
Desperate Actions: Supporters try to see Republican nominee for President Governor Mitt Romney in an overflowing plane hanger building at a rally by peering under garage door, in Kissimmee, Florida, Saturday, October, 27, 2012.
Award of Excellence
Jason Reed, Reuters
With Friends Like These … : U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in Los Cabos, Mexico, June 18, 2012. The leaders were in Los Cabos to attend the G-20 leaders Summit.
Award of Excellence
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Rambler: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney sits in a 1961 Rambler with the cars owner, Michael Scheib, during a campaign event at K’s Hamburger on June 17, 2012 in Troy, Ohio.
Award of Excellence
Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News
Untitled: Republican Presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul poses for a photo with Tizzy, a dual Grand Champion in showing and hunting, and his owner, Jon Hathaway, of Des Moines, after the “Salute to Veterans” rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011.