WASHINGTON – Associated Press Broadcast White House Correspondent Mark Smith has been elected to serve as the president of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA). 

Chosen by his colleagues from newspapers and broadcasters across the country who also cover the highest elected office in U.S., Smith officially will begin his term as president in the Spring of 2005 after serving as the vice president for a year.

 

“I’m extraordinarily honored by this vote of my peers," said Smith.  "Here at the White House, I’ve been blessed to work elbow-to-elbow with some of the best in American journalism. Representing them in dealings with the administration will be a challenge - but also a labor of love.”

 

The WHCA represents the White House press corps in its dealings with the administration on coverage-related issues.  Smith will oversee a nine-member board of directors, elected by other correspondents.  The board's primary role is to address press access to the chief executive, determine coverage arrangements, workspace, logistics and costs for press travel to accompany a president when traveling.

 

Smith is an award-winning broadcast journalist and a 27-year AP veteran.  He has covered the White House beat for AP Broadcast since 1996. He has covered presidents Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan and Carter and presidential elections since 1980.