12 NASS Members Travel on Official German Delegation

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2025

Washington, D.C. — A bipartisan delegation of National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Members from across the United States visited Germany with the Aspen Institute Germany and representatives from the German Embassy Washington. The program featured in-depth discussions on cybersecurity practices, democracy as it relates to election administration and security, transatlantic cooperation, and civic education. Meetings included a variety of government leaders, respected academics and experts, as well as local journalists.

“Secretaries of State play a crucial role in understanding and addressing today's most significant challenges, both domestic and abroad. My colleagues and I were eager to join this delegation to collaborate and exchange ideas with key German leaders. We gained valuable insight and furthered relationships between our two nations, as well as our respective states,” said Michael Watson, NASS President, Mississippi Secretary of State and delegation chair.

“Aspen Institute Germany is proud to have brought U.S. Secretaries of State into direct exchange with German partners in Berlin, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Besigheim. From discussions at the Federal Chancellery, the Bundestag, and the Federal Foreign Office to meetings at the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament and the Federal Constitutional Court, we explored how to safeguard election integrity and strengthen democracy in the 21st century. These conversations reinforce the importance of transatlantic dialogue at the subnational level and the importance of ensuring free, fair, and secure elections,” said Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner, Aspen Institute Germany Executive Director.

“Exchange and open dialogue between societies and all levels of government are the backbone of German-U.S. relations. By supporting this visit to Germany, we are proud to facilitate meaningful conversations between this distinguished group of Secretaries of State and German politicians, experts, and civil society. This initiative strengthens the enduring ties between our nations — not only at the federal level, but also state to state,” stated Jens Hanefeld, German Ambassador to the U.S.

This is the first NASS delegation to visit Germany, which included the following Members:

• Hon. Michael Watson, NASS President, Mississippi Secretary of State and Delegation Chair
• Hon. Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State
• Hon. Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State
• Hon. Scott Schwab, Kansas Secretary of State
• Hon. Michael Adams, Kentucky Secretary of State
• Hon. Nancy Landry, Louisiana Secretary of State
• Hon. Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico Secretary of State
• Hon. Michael Howe, North Dakota Secretary of State
• Hon. Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State
• Hon. Al Schmidt, Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth
• Hon. Deidre Henderson, Utah Lt. Governor
• Hon. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, Vermont Secretary of State

The weeklong educational visit further aimed to enhance U.S.- Germany relations at the state level.

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Media Contact:

Maria Benson, Senior Director of Communications
mbenson@nass.org | 202-624-3528