With a few exceptions, politicians are pretty lame when it comes to social media.  In fairness, they have to walk a fine line: they need to be interesting, but they have to do that without setting off (too much) controversy in a medium that thrives on silliness and hyperbole.  This conundrum usually results in politicians sharing the same party-approved, partisan talking points or making half-hearted attempts at a unifying hashtag. They will occasionally take selfies, if they’re feeling especially daring or if Joe Biden is in the vicinity. There’ll be a lot of pictures of politicians posing awkwardly with constituents and guests, accompanied by a variation of “Had a gr8 time meeting with the awesome folks from @___ today [insert link to press release] [insert inane hashtag that nobody uses]”  But they were forced to get creative in July, when both the Democratic and Republican caucuses in the House of Representatives held social media contests for their respective members. The Democrats’ contest ran from 1-21 July, while the GOP’s lasted from 7-27 July.  Republicans kicked off their Digital Challenge with great fanfare, releasing a “trailer” that featured clips from Star Wars and Braveheart, and had California congressman Darrell Issa’s face transposed onto baby Simba’s from The Lion King.  With the bar clearly set, elected officials (and the press aides who often manage their accounts) pulled out all the stops to gain the most followers and drum up engagement, resulting in some interesting and — dare we say it? — funny posts.  The Republican winner, announced on Tuesday, was freshman Jim Bridenstine of Oklahoma’s first congressional district, who tweets a lot about millennials and deftly employs the powerful #tcot hashtag. Sounds like a solid strategy to us.  The policies of this Administration have had a negative impact on Millennials in America. #WarOnYouth #tcot  On the other side of the aisle, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia ran away with the crown. He gained 17,495 followers across his Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram accounts, buoyed by his throwbacks to the civil rights era.  53 yrs ago today I was released from Parchman Penitentiary after being arrested in Jackson for using "white" restroom pic.twitter.com/9QAI4voo1M  My first arrest. February 27, 1960 in Nashville, TN. I felt free. I felt liberated. I felt like I crossed over. #tbt pic.twitter.com/MlzNN5UFEA  But these are just two of the hundreds of elected officials participating. As the Guardian followed representatives throughout the competitions, we noticed several other standout posts from their official accounts.  So, in the spirit of encouraging our elected officials to post better (or at the very least, more interesting) social media dispatches, we’ve decided to give out a few awards of our own.  John Dingell is 88, but he – or his office, at least – has better Twitter game than most youngsters. He racked up media attention for his dismissal of the Kardashians …  I'm the last original author of the Clean Water Act, but I have no idea who/what a Kardashian is and I rarely play games. You OK, @EPAwater?  Staff has now informed me of what a Kardashian is. I'm only left with more questions.  … but demonstrated he could ride the zeitgeist when necessary with this parody of LeBron James’ Decision 2.o.  With the House adjourned for the week, I'm taking my talents back to Michigan to spend time with constituents. #MI12 pic.twitter.com/1saVo5ubpT  And somehow still had some leftover shade to throw.  Back in Washington as the House comes back into session tomorrow. I don't have any silly graphics to accompany this, but you get the point.  These are cookies shaped like Utah. Mmmmm, Utah.  Wishing I was in UT for Pioneer Day, but at least we've got Utah shaped cookies in D.C. pic.twitter.com/HbUiglfQiF  If you can’t get excited about that hot dog, then neither can we, Quigley.  Enjoyed @MeatAMI #NationalHotDogDay but no #Chicago dog?! Consider me official consultant next year pic.twitter.com/BrZ7pF2woM  None. But on Tuesdays they do let me control the weather."@1Anson1: @jahimes @cspanwj Are you a illuminati or Chabad, Zionist probably?”  Eat your heart out, Woody Allen.  Just had a meeting with Rep. Sensenbrenner. He was typing a letter. This is how he does it. Seriously. pic.twitter.com/pBgUyjg221  Judging from the look on his face, Hudson is clearly plotting world domination.  Hudson is giving me a little help around the office today. His family is visiting DC this week from Mobile. pic.twitter.com/kD3iD8eZpY  The California congressman is one of the Hill’s savviest social media users. In July, while everyone else was just slapping up pre-made, party-approved graphics, he got a little experimental with his Instagram feed.  There’s gotta be a metaphor for the House Republicans in here somewhere.  Gosar is posing with Creepy Uncle Sam, the mascot for the GOP’s anti-Obamacare campaign. You might remember him from those unsettling ads that all but equated Obamacare with rape.  I had a great time at the @GenOpp #CreepyCare -nival tonight and made a new friend. https://t.co/7UGjjLpc4E pic.twitter.com/5sbI6xRk98
As Democrats and Republicans announce their social media stars, the Guardian hands out a few gongs of our own