NASHUA – Accompanied by his wife and two of their three daughters, Colorado senator and Democratic presidential primary hopeful Michael Bennet kicked off the new year Wednesday with an ambitious resolution: “to come in in the top three” finishers in New Hampshire’s First in the Nation primary.

Bennet, the 54-year-old former superintendent of Denver public schools, greeted close to 50 visitors to his Nashua headquarters Wednesday for a New Years Day brunch, one of the stops on a six-day tour of the state that runs through Jan. 5.

The gathering also served as the official opening of his Nashua headquarters, a cozy, four-room space on the fifth floor of the historic Whiting Building at Main and Franklin streets.

“We’re actually adding people, not taking people away,” Bennet told his audience. He pledged his campaign’s “commitment to New Hampshire … I’ve spent more time in this state than any other candidate in this race,” he said, referring to the Democratic presidential primary.

Bennet spoke in front of a giant “Bennet For America” banner aside his wife, Susan Daggett, a Colorado attorney, and daughters Halina and Anne. His eldest daughter, Caroline, wasn’t able to join them Wednesday.

Along with applause and warm greetings, Bennet also received some good news while visiting Nashua: State Rep. Sherry Dutzy, of Nashua’s Ward 3, announced she is endorsing Bennet.

“Michael Bennet has the ideas, the experience, and the perspective to beat Donald Trump and deliver for the next generation on day one,” Dutzy said in her endorsement.

“His progressive, pragmatic plan to enlist American farmers in the fight against climate change will prove that we don’t have to choose between a healthy planet and a strong economy,” she added.

Bennet, meanwhile, said that when it comes to getting things done, such as “addressing climate change in a meaningful way … I feel I’m uniquely situated in this race to offer that kind of leadership to the American people.”

Noting he won “two tough national elections” in “a swing state” – referring to Colorado, which is equal parts Republican, Democratic and Independent – “I know how to win in purple and red parts of the country,” Bennet added.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Newsletter