Jack Ohman Wins 2026 Herblock Prize – Pedro X. Molina is Finalist — Update
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The March 12 item (the update is below the original entry):
The Herb Block Foundation announced today it has awarded the 2026 Herblock Prize to Jack Ohman.
Judges’ comments:
From Marty Two Bulls, Sr.:
Jack’s loose drawing style says more with a few strokes then any long winded editorial. His work comes from a vast understanding of the inane nature of geopolitical history…
From Steve Brodner:
… His portfolio was strong and wide-ranging in concept, moral force, graphic solution and humor.
From Rob Rogers:
If Mad Magazine and Thomas Nast had a baby it would be Jack Ohman. Ohman creates cartoons that balance whimsical wackiness and incisive political criticism brilliantly…
The San Francisco Chronicle celebrates their editorial cartoonist and columnist’s win.
Check out Jack’s website: https://www.jackohman.net/
Subscribe: https://jackohman.substack.com/
At that Jack Ohman’s You Betcha! Substack Jack said:
I’ll write more about this soon, but suffice it to say I am honored beyond belief, and will continue to try to rise to the level that Herb established in his stellar career.—J.
The Herb Block Foundation named political cartoonist Pedro X. Molina as 2026 Finalist.
Judges’ comments:
From Marty Two Bulls, Sr.:
… His composition, layouts, color, and dialogue placement are solid. I get the feeling that he cares about the issues he chooses as it is a reflection of his background and sensibilities…
From Steve Brodner:
Pedro Molina is one of most powerful voices in cartooning today. His work is an inspiration in courage at a time when media is running for cover…
From Rob Rogers:
… Pedro brings a bold new voice to U.S. cartooning just when we needed it most.”
Presented each spring at the Library of Congress, the prize is awarded by The Herb Block Foundation for distinguished examples of editorial cartooning that exemplify the courageous standard set by Herblock and is judged by a panel of outside experts.
As of May 2022, the Herblock Prize winner will now receive a tax free $20,000 cash award and the finalist will receive tax free $7,500 cash award.
March 17 Update
Tribune Content Agency celebrates their cartoonists being honored by the Herb Block Foundation:
Tribune Content Agency is proud to congratulate Jack Ohman, TCA editorial cartoonist and contributing columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, on winning the 2026 Herblock Prize, the most prestigious honor in editorial cartooning. TCA cartoonist Pedro Molina was also recognized, named this year’s Finalist.
Both Jack Ohman and Pedro Molina are featured contributors to the TCA Editorial Cartoon Service, which delivers daily choices of editorial cartoons with provocative and engaging perspectives from across the political spectrum.
And the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists heralds the win by their immediate past president:
Ohman is the contributing cartoonist and columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, and publishes his cartoons and columns via his Substack, Jack Ohman’s You Betcha. His sharp commentary and expert draftsmanship have been recognized throughout his storied career with awards such as the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning and the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. He was a 2013 finalist for the Herblock Prize. Ohman is also the only two-time president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, and currently serves on the AAEC board as immediate past president.
Molina is an internationally known cartoonist who publishes his English-language cartoons at Counterpoint.com, and his Spanish-language cartoons at Confidencial.digital. Molina fled his native Nicaragua in 2018 after a government crackdown on journalists, and has lived in the United States ever since. He was previously a finalist for the Herblock Prize in 2024, and has been awarded numerous cartooning prizes such as the Gabo Award for Excellence in Journalism and the Maria Moors Cabot Prize from Columbia University.
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