Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill was recently named as co-chair of the National Association of Secretaries of State’s (NASS) International Relations Committee.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the association’s 2019 summer conference. Merrill will lead the committee alongside Secretary of State Tahesha Way (D-NJ).

In a statement, NASS president and Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate emphasized, “I am proud to appoint my bipartisan colleagues to these important posts. They will be on the forefront of vital issues facing Secretaries of State across the country, and I look forward to working closely with them.”

NASS is the country’s oldest, nonpartisan organization for public officials. Membership consists of appointed and elected secretaries of state and selected lieutenant governors from across the United States and U.S. Territories. The association serves to promote ideas and best practices related to elections and voting; state business services; and state heritage.

The International Relations Committee specifically works to educate members on state and federal approaches to international protocol, global markets and the development of U.S. foreign policy. Committee members dedicate their efforts to strengthening partnerships with key institutions, such as the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations.

“I look forward to strengthening U.S. alliances alongside my colleagues on the International Relations Committee and am honored to continue my service to the people of the great State of Alabama in this capacity!” Merrill said.

Merrill is also a Republican candidate in Alabama’s 2020 U.S. Senate race, along with the likes of Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01), former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville, State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs) and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn