For NatalieTennant, serving as Secretary of State was a chance to promote the state, become an inclusive leader, innovate, take chances and push beyond expectations of the state’s smallest constitutional office.
Reflections from a former secretary of state—on her time in office and her work today as an advocate and champion for free and fair elections
When my older sister said she was running for student body president of her high school, and would be the first girl elected if she won, my excitement only grew. She won—and her victory set me on my own path, too. Though I lost every race for class president in my freshman, sophomore and junior year, finally won for student body president my senior year. I was hooked.
After college graduation, I continued in the public eye as a local television reporter and anchor—a job that sent me around the state telling stories of West Virginia and her people. It ultimately allowed me to cover the West Virginia legislature—an eye-opening opportunity to see up close how the legislative process works. I knew then I had the capability of serving the people of West Virginia in elective office.