Cartoonist Smith takes third place

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

Las Vegas Sun editorial cartoonist Mike Smith took third place in the annual Best of the West newspaper contest.

Judges honored Smith's portfolio, which included the military records of President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, the question of an exit strategy in Iraq and same-sex marriages.

The judges, members of the Dallas Morning News' editorial board, said they were "very impressed" with Smith's work and said his ideas "are top-notch."

The judges said it was "excruciatingly difficult" to choose the winner from the finalists.

Eric Devericks of the Seattle Times and Steve Benson of the Arizona Republic finished first and second, respectively.

The regional contest of 13 Western states is open to newspapers of all sizes.

Smith, 44, has been at the Sun for 22 years.

His work appears in USA Today on Thursdays. He also draws the NASCAR-focused Stockcartoons. His work has been published in Newsweek, the New York Times and the Washington Post and is syndicated by King Features.

Earlier this year, the Sun was awarded third place in the Best of the West contest for general reporting for a series by Molly Ball and Steve Kanigher about pedestrian safety.

The Sun has also been honored in five national contests this year: