MANCHESTER – Four Democratic candidates took to the stage Wednesday night at Saint Anselm College in the first of two CNN town hall meetings leading up to next week’s New Hampshire primary election.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., entrepreneur Andrew Yang and businessman Tom Steyer discussed everything from health care and climate change to the economy, with Biden even delving into his personal struggle with a speech impediment.

“We can overcome it, and the point I make to these young people that I still work with is that, in fact, it is critically important for them not to judge themselves by their speech – not let that define them,” the former vice president said after referencing the film “The King’s Speech” during Wednesday’s event, which was in the Koonz Theatre of the Dana Center for the Humanities.

New Hampshire Executive Councilwoman Debora Pignatelli said she believes this helped connect Biden with voters, making him more relateable.

“I think it certainly humanizes him,” Pignatelli said. “That was a long discussion by the vice president, and I think that helps people connect. When you see something that’s a similarity and people are able to make that connection with a candidate and relate to them, it makes a difference. I think a lot of voters’ eyes glaze over when they (candidates) talk about policy. I think we need to be able to connect with the candidate and know that we are able to trust them. That’s what something like that does.”

Pignatelli, who has thrown her support behind U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said she is looking forward to tonight’s town hall, which will feature U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Klobuchar, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

“I am really watching the climate issue. I am watching what candidates have to say about our economy, and watching what they have to say about gun violence,” Pignatelli said. “Certainly climate change and climate chaos is a big issue for me, and also, I am looking for how they (the candidates) plan to win the presidency, how they can bring the country together, how they can get the people to vote for them and try to heal our country.”

Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess, who officially endorsed Buttigieg on Tuesday, said the town hall and all the candidate visits make New Hampshire such a magical place.

“This is the magic of the New Hampshire primary,” Donchess said. “So many people can meet the candidates in small venues, where people can ask the candidates questions. That is why New Hampshire is such a great place.”

“Of course, I support Mayor Pete,” Donchess added. “I believe he would be a very strong nominee for the party. He is a man of faith and served our country and served his neighbors in South Bend. I think he could bring people together.”

Donchess also noted his personal connection with Buttigieg, both being mayors of large cities. He also praised other candidates in the field.

“As mayor, you can’t just grandstand,” he said. “You have to plow the streets, pick up garbage.”

“We have other strong candidates,” Donchess added. “We have two candidates from neighboring states, Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders from Vermont. We also have the former vice president, and others. I think we have a good group of candidates and a lot to choose from. I hope people from New Hampshire will try to get out and try to meet as many candidates as possible and make a choice of who is best to represent the Democratic party and win in the general election in November.”

Tonight’s CNN town hall is set to begin at 8 p.m.

The New Hampshire debate, sponsored by ABC, WMUR and Apple News, is set for Friday at Saint Anselm College. Seven candidates have qualified, including Biden, Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Sanders, Steyer, Warren and Yang.