NACo Hosts County Leaders in Washington, D.C. and Launches We Are Counties National Public Affairs Advocacy Campaign

WASHINGTON —The National Association of Counties (NACo) is hosting nearly 2,000 county leaders from across the country for our annual Legislative Conference February 21-24. Over two general sessions, featured speakers include senior administration officials along with members of Congress from the U.S. House of Representatives. Conference attendees are shaping NACo’s legislative agenda, receiving updates on key federal policies and advocating for county priorities on Capitol Hill.

Discussions at the conference have addressed critical issues impacting counties, including surface transportation, federal disaster policy, housing and permitting reform, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, energy and data centers, workforce development and more.

NACo also has launched a new, national public affairs advocacy campaign called We Are Counties. The multi-platform campaign will include video, podcast, social media and digital content to elevate county stories and communicate the vital role that county governments play nationwide.

"We are proud to share the story of counties across the United States,” said NACo President J.D. Clark. “Counties are on the front lines every day—delivering vital public health, infrastructure, public safety, economic development and human services that strengthen our communities. By elevating this message, we hope to deepen understanding of the essential role counties play in serving residents and supporting our intergovernmental partners.”

Across the nation, there are 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs, each serving its own community while sharing a common mission of public service. Together, counties form a nationwide system that supports residents wherever they live, work or travel. This shared responsibility is a core part of the We Are Counties campaign, focusing on building understanding about the essential role counties play.

For more details about the 2026 Legislative Conference, click here. For more information on We Are Counties, click here or contact Lori Dicker, Chief Public Affairs Officer, ldicker@naco.org.