By Secretary of State Phil McGrane
Highlights from the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office
February 2, 2026
Bowling Together: Reflections from the NASS Conference
I laced up my bowling shoes in the White House basement, regretted not taking high school German at a reception with a foreign ambassador, and came face-to-face with a collection tied to a personal family treasure, all during my recent trip to Washington, D.C., for the National Association of Secretaries of State conference.
Coming Together at NASS
The semi-annual NASS conference is an invaluable opportunity to connect with Secretaries from around the country. Though we have profound differences, we grapple with many of the same challenges in this complex space, from cybersecurity to elections to business regulation and beyond. These conversations matter, and they reinforce how much we can learn from one another.
Bowling in the White House Basement
One memorable highlight of the trip was an evening at the historic Truman Bowling Alley, tucked away in the White House basement. Originally a gift to President Truman for his 63rd birthday, the two-lane alley has a timeless, almost surreal quality to it. Sharing a game and a beer with a few fellow Secretaries in a place where presidents have bowled for decades felt both humbling and extraordinary. Strikes really do hit differently when you’re rolling a ball stamped with the official White House seal.
History, Family, and America 250
Another standout moment was a visit to the National Archives, where we received a sneak peek of the upcoming America 250 exhibit. As part of the America 250 Advisory Committee, I’m excited about the plans taking shape to mark our nation’s 250th birthday here in Idaho.
That visit also turned into a personal moment for me. My father, a lifelong history enthusiast (yes, I’m a fourth-generation nerd), owns an 1820s reproduction of the Declaration of Independence commissioned by John Quincy Adams to preserve the original, fading document. As I was sharing that story with Alaska’s Secretary of State, we turned a corner and came face to face with the very stone engraving used to produce my father’s copy. It was one of those unexpected moments that reminds you how history connects generations. I’m looking forward to sharing that document with Idahoans across the state through partnerships with our universities in the months ahead.
Building Relationships Beyond Our Borders
We also had the opportunity to attend a reception with the German Ambassador to the United States. It was a valuable reminder that part of this job includes building and maintaining relationships beyond our borders. Those connections matter, and they reinforce how state-level work often plays a role on a much larger stage.
Idaho’s Seat at the Table
Every time I visit Washington, D.C., I’m reminded that Idaho’s voice carries weight. We may be a small state by population, but we consistently punch above our weight, and others notice. That’s something Idahoans can be proud of.
Phil McGrane
About Phil McGrane
Phil McGrane was elected Idaho’s twenty-eighth Secretary of State and took office on January 2, 2023. McGrane served as elected Clerk of Ada County from 2019-2022. McGrane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a juris doctorate, and a Master of Public Administration. As a fourth-generation Idahoan, Phil has dedicated his career to making elections in the state of Idaho accessible, secure and transparent.
