{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://baumgartner.house.gov/2026/01/13/congressman-baumgartner-announces-2nd-annual-state-of-the-union-ticket-contest-for-outstanding-teachers/", "Congressman Baumgartner Announces 2nd Annual State of the Union Ticket Contest for Outstanding Teachers", "2026-01-13", "2026", "2026-01", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Michael Baumgartner", "B001322", "baumgartner.house.gov", "baumgartner", "https://baumgartner.house.gov/category/press-releases/", "scraper", "WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) is proud to announce the second annual State of the Union Ticket Contest, titled \u201cClassroom to the Capitol,\u201d celebrating the outstanding educators of Washington state\u2019s 5th Congressional District. This annual tradition recognizes one exceptional teacher who exemplifies dedication, innovation, and a lasting impact on students. The selected teacher will be invited to attend the 2026 State of the Union address in Washington, DC on February 24, as Congressman Baumgartner\u2019s honored guest.\n\n\u201cTeachers ignite curiosity, build confidence, and shape the leaders of tomorrow,\u201d said Congressman Baumgartner. \u201cLast year\u2019s inaugural contest was an incredible experience, and I was honored to have Stacey Nash from Wilbur-Creston join me at the State of the Union. This year, I\u2019m excited to continue the tradition, giving students across Eastern Washington the chance to spotlight the teachers who make a lasting difference in their lives.\u201d\n\nEligibility\n\nThe contest is open to all teachers in Washington\u2019s 5th Congressional District. Students, parents, fellow teachers, and school administrators are encouraged to nominate a teacher who goes above and beyond in the classroom and community.\n\nHow to Submit Nominations\n\nNominations must include a brief essay (250\u2013500 words) describing why the nominated teacher deserves to attend the State of the Union. Submissions should detail the teacher\u2019s impact on students, creativity in instruction, commitment to excellence, and any unique achievements that set them apart.\n\nSend nominations via email to collin.tracy@mail.house.gov with the subject line: \u201cState of the Union Teacher Nomination.\u201d Please include the teacher\u2019s full name, school, and contact information with each nomination.\n\nDeadline\n\nAll submissions must be received by February 8, 2026.\n\nWinner Selection\n\nThe winner will be chosen based on the strength of the nomination and the positive influence they\u2019ve had on their students and broader school community. The selected teacher will be invited to attend the 2026 State of the Union address as Congressman Baumgartner\u2019s guest.\n\n**DISCLAIMER: While the winner will receive a ticket to the event, they will be responsible for their own transportation and lodging, as per House Ethics guidelines. Members of Congress are provided with a ticket and are free to distribute them as they see fit, provided the ticket is not sold or used to raise money for any charity or fundraiser.\n\nImage", 1, "2026-05-07T13:38:59Z", "2026-05-07T13:40:28Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://baumgartner.house.gov/2026/01/13/congressman-baumgartner-announces-2nd-annual-state-of-the-union-ticket-contest-for-outstanding-teachers/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9819890838116407, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}