Nashua's Pignatelli, Foster, Honorow Back Klobuchar For President

NASHUA, NH — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, one of more than 25 Democrats running for president in 2020, announced a slate of political endorsees on the eve of another visit to the Granite State to speak about her campaign. Klobuchar will be meeting with voters on July 20, at a roundtable with senior citizens in Manchester, at a house party at the home of former Concord state Sen. Sylvia Larsen, and at a house party at the home of former state Sen. Peter Burling, in Cornish. Scott Merrick, the state director for the campaign, thanked the politicos who were backing the Senator's effort, calling them "proven leaders in both their professional lines of work, and communities in which they reside."

Merrick added, "We are grateful for their support of our growing campaign."

While the list is diverse with experience, probably the biggest land is current Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli, who represents more than 30 cities and towns in the southern part of the state, including Amherst, Merrimack, Milford, and Nashua. Former New Hampshire Attorney General and state Sen. Joe Foster, also of Nashua, is on the list as is Helen Honorow, a family law attorney from the Gate City who serves on the State Board of Education.

Amherst business and community leader Tom Silvia, a partner with Vinebrook Homes and Fenix Partners, has also backed the candidate as has former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and retired USAF brigadier general Jim Smith of Salem, who runs Crosswinds Strategic Consulting.

Others also announcing their support include former state Rep. Ricia McMahon, D-Sutton; Rich Sigel, the former chief of staff to both Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and John Lynch; Michael Atkins of Peterborough; and Jim Callahan of Hancock.

Merrick said the endorsees "all believe in Amy’s ambitious and optimistic agenda, but more importantly, they recognize her unique qualifications to win both the primary and the general election."

Got a news tip? Send it to Tony Schinella at tony.schinella@patch.com.

View videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/tonyschinella.

Follow the New Hampshire Patch Politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.