Hassan to Endorse Clinton Friday

Following on the heals of agreeing to budget terms for fiscal 2016-2017 and just before the Democrats meet for their state convention, Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, will join Hillary Clinton in Durham on Friday to officially endorse her New Hampshire first-in-the-nation primary campaign, according to a press statement.

Clinton and Hassan will also participate in a community forum on college affordability together at the University of New Hampshire.

“Hillary Clinton is the leader that New Hampshire families need fighting for them--day in and day out--in the White House,” Hassan said in a statement. “I’ve known Hillary for years, and I know that she is deeply committed to making sure Granite State families get ahead and have the support they need to stay ahead. Whether it’s through her comprehensive plan to make college more affordable for our students, her multi-pronged approach to combating substance abuse, or her unwavering commitment to protecting access to reproductive health care for women, all Granite Staters have a champion in Hillary Clinton. I am proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States, and hope that Granite State families will join me as we work toward a brighter tomorrow.”

Clinton stated that she was “grateful” to receive ”the support of a strong, pragmatic, and inspirational leader like Governor Hassan.”

In a statement, Clinton said, “I have drawn inspiration from her leadership on making college more affordable, combating substance abuse, helping innovative businesses create the jobs of tomorrow, making strides towards ending gender pay discrimination, and protecting access to affordable health care for everyone--not just those who can afford it. I hope that Friday’s forum on college affordability is the beginning of a partnership, during which Governor Hassan and I will fight for the families of New Hampshire for years to come.”

Hassan joins a growing list of strong supporters backing Hillary Clinton, including U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, former New Hampshire House Speaker Terie Norelli, American Federation of Teachers New Hampshire, and the National Education Association New Hampshire.

The community forum will be held at the Memorial Union Building, 83 Main St. in Durham, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

Update, 5:04 p.m.

The NH GOP issued the following statement about the endorsement:

New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer Horn today released the following statement regarding Governor Hassan’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President:

“Governor Hassan’s support for Hillary Clinton is the latest in a string of establishment endorsements by Democrat Party insiders attempting to coronate Washington’s handpicked candidate. This is a desperate attempt by the Hillary Clinton campaign to manufacture phony momentum as her numbers continue to plummet in New Hampshire and nationally. The efforts by New Hampshire Democrat Party leaders to force an unpopular candidate on Granite State voters does a disservice to New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation presidential primary’s grassroots tradition. It’s clear that the fix is in for Hillary Clinton and DNC Chairman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and DNC Vice Chairman Raymond Buckley are in the bag for Hillary Clinton and doing everything possible to limit Democrat debates.”

Just today, a WBUR poll showed Hillary Clinton losing to Bernie Sanders in New Hampshire, the sixth straight poll with the same results.