Now in their ninth year, the Democracy Awards are the Congressional Management Foundation’s (CMF) flagship program recognizing excellence in non-legislative achievement on Capitol Hill. Founded in 1977, CMF is the premier bipartisan 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to strengthening the First Branch by providing Members of Congress and their staff with hands-on, actionable support and essential resources that help them govern effectively, better serve constituents, and strengthen the institution. Across seven categories, these bipartisan awards honor Members of Congress and their staff for outstanding public service and contributions to strengthening the First Branch.
Each year, following an open self-nomination season, one Democratic office and one Republican office are recognized in each award category, along with four recipients of the Chief of Staff of the Year award. Applications for the 2026 season opened in late January, and throughout the spring, CMF conducted 47 interviews across 45 congressional offices from a pool of 154 applications. Winners were selected by an independent panel in May and will be honored at both a Winner’s luncheon in June and a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C. in July. Through this process, the Democracy Awards shine a light on the exceptional work taking place on Capitol Hill that too often goes unnoticed.
Award categories include:
Best of Constituent Service
- Winning this category indicates outstanding attention to detail, empathy, and persistence in solving constituent requests.
Best of Constituent Experience in D.C.
- The winners of this category will have demonstrated outstanding hospitality, responsiveness, and dedication to creating a positive and meaningful experience for constituents on Capitol Hill.
Best of Constituent Correspondence & Engagement
- A winner in this category will have demonstrated excellence in transparency, responsiveness, and fostering an ongoing and open dialogue between elected officials and the communities they serve.
Best of Innovation & Modernization
- Whether through technology, workflows, or new procedural methods, this award showcases innovation that has driven meaningful improvements, making the congressional office more responsive, efficient, and modernized in its work.
Best of Bipartisan Collaboration
- The winners of this award will have shown that meaningful progress is possible through bipartisan cooperation and a shared commitment to effective governance.
Excellence in Congressional Management
- The winning offices in this category set the standard for leadership, best management and organizational practices, professional staff development, open communication and collaboration, as well as ensuring a positive experience for staff while achieving the office’s goals.
Chief of Staff of the Year
- Recipients of this award are highly effective team leaders who successfully navigate challenges, build a strong office culture, and ensure the smooth functioning of both legislative operations and constituent services. In addition, the recipients of this award work not just in service of their office, but in service to Congress, working to improve the institution to leave it better for future Members and staff than they found it.
Participation in the Democracy Awards reflects a belief that Congress can and should be a place of public service, operational excellence, innovation, and institutional stewardship.
The Democracy Awards program grew from CMF’s longstanding commitment to recognizing excellence across Capitol Hill. Before the Democracy Awards, there were the CMF Golden Mouse Awards, honoring congressional offices whose websites and social media presence went above and beyond to further transparency, accountability, and constituent service.
Over time, it became clear Congress needed a new kind of recognition, one that celebrated not only how offices communicate, but how they operate internally, serve constituents, manage teams, and strengthen the institution itself.
With that vision in mind, the Democracy Awards were launched in 2018 with the guidance of congressional staff, scholars, and former Members of Congress.
Last year's winners include:
Best of Constituent Service
- Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT-01)
- Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04)
Best Constituent Experience in D.C.
- Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL)
- Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA-06)
Best of Constituent Correspondence & Outreach
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11)
- Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Best of Innovation & Modernization
- Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05)
- Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)
Best of Bipartisan Engagement & Collaboration
- Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23)
- Rep. Don Davis (D-NC-01)
Excellence in Congressional Management
- Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC-09)
- Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13)
“Too many times we hear the negative stories about Congress and Capitol Hill. And that's why CMF created the Democracy Awards, so that we shine light on all the good that’s happening,” said Jen Daulby, CEO of CMF, at the 2026 Democracy Awards Nominees Reception.
The 2026 Democracy Award winners will be announced this July.
David Nevins is the publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
