New Hampshire is getting a visit from Hillary Clinton next month, as the former secretary of state prepares to travel to the state that has kicked off the nation’s presidential primary process for over 100 years.
Clinton is slated to take the stage as the featured speaker at the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner — the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s marquee annual fundraising event — set for April 25 in Nashua.
The state party went public with the announcement Thursday, locking in Clinton as the top draw at one of the most high-profile gatherings on the New Hampshire Democratic calendar.
Ray Buckley, the longtime chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, released a statement ahead of Clinton’s appearance, touting her record in public life.
“Through decades of public service — as first lady, a U.S. senator, and secretary of state — Secretary Clinton has fought tirelessly for women’s rights and been a champion for economic security around the world,” Buckley said.
He added: “Her work to expand voting rights, strengthen child and family leave policies and combat global health crises has made a lasting impact both here and abroad.”
Buckley also told Fox News that Clinton plans to use the evening to pay tribute to Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who is stepping away from the Senate after 40 years in public service. Shaheen made history as the first woman in the United States ever to be elected both governor and U.S. senator.
A Clinton spokesperson confirmed to Fox News that the former secretary of state is eager to make the trip back to the Granite State.
Clinton herself said in an interview last month that a third presidential run is not in the cards, telling reporters the Democratic Party already has a “good bench” of prospective candidates for 2028.
The April visit will be Clinton’s first public appearance in New Hampshire in six years. She last made the trip in 2019 to speak at Dartmouth College, and prior to that appeared in Concord in December 2017 while on a book tour.
Despite the warm welcome from party leadership, not all Democrats in the state are rolling out the red carpet.
A veteran progressive voice in New Hampshire reportedly pushed back hard on the decision to spotlight Clinton at the dinner.
“Although this may be a good invite to raise money for the party, it is another example of how completely tone-deaf the party is to the need for real change,” the source told Fox News.
The criticism did not stop there. The same progressive figure added: “As exemplary as Hillary Clinton’s conduct was with respect to the Epstein congressional subpoena, she’s yesterday’s news, hasn’t offered a new idea in decades and doesn’t serve the needs of building a new Democratic majority in New Hampshire.”
Still, others who know New Hampshire politics well pushed back on that assessment.
Lucas Meyer — a nonprofit leader based in the state and a former president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats — said Clinton commands genuine loyalty among many in the state party.
“A lot of New Hampshire Democrats have a lot of affection and love for Secretary Clinton and for her service to our country,” Meyer said.
Meyer, a former campaign strategist, also put the fundraising dinner in a broader context, arguing it serves a concrete organizational purpose regardless of who headlines it.
“Secretary Clinton has a pretty broad appeal, and since she’s not running, there’s a little more flexibility for her to raise money for the party and to attract donors to cut checks for the state,” he said.
