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The former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, is scheduled to return to New Hampshire as the headliner for the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s annual spring fundraising event. The state party announced that the gala — the McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner — will take place on April 25 in Nashua. Clinton has repeatedly said she will not seek the presidency in 2028, and party officials frame her participation as a way to support the state party’s operations rather than signal a comeback.
Her planned visit comes as a number of Democratic hopefuls have been traveling through the early states — including New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — in preliminary campaign activity. The announcement prompted both praise and criticism: longtime state party chair Ray Buckley lauded Clinton’s decades of public service and policy work, while some progressives questioned whether her presence aligns with calls for new voices and directions within the party.
Why Clinton’s appearance matters
party leaders emphasize the practical purpose of the event: raising money to sustain a state-level campaign apparatus. As nonprofit leader and former president of the New Hampshire Young Democrats Lucas Meyer noted, the dinner is meant to support the infrastructure required to run competitive campaigns. Because Clinton is not a candidate, her involvement can help the party attract donors who might otherwise be hesitant to write checks. The NHDP and its allies view Clinton as someone with broad recognition who can mobilize financial support for voter outreach, organizing and other essential campaign functions.
Fundraising focus and strategic benefits
The state party framed the gala as more than a social event; it is a mechanism to stockpile resources before a busy election cycle. Clinton’s presence is expected to draw attention and donors to the fundraising gala, which party insiders say is critical to building the local ground game. With the spotlight on early states, having a high-profile figure on the stage can translate to contributions that fund staff, volunteer coordination and get-out-the-vote operations — elements that party strategists deem indispensable in competitive states.
Responses inside New Hampshire
The announcement produced mixed reactions from activists and voters. A longtime New Hampshire progressive who spoke on background told reporters that inviting Clinton to headline a major party fundraiser is illustrative of a party that sometimes appears out of step with demands for fresh leadership and ideas. That critic acknowledged Clinton’s public-facing conduct regarding the Epstein congressional subpoena but argued she has not introduced new policy proposals in recent years and therefore may not be the ideal symbol for building a new Democratic majority in the state.
Supporters’ perspective
Others in New Hampshire offered a different take. Supporters point to Clinton’s long record in public life — as First Lady, senator and secretary of state — and to her and former President Bill Clinton’s longstanding support for New Hampshire’s role at the top of the primary calendar. Advocates such as Lucas Meyer emphasized that many state Democrats retain affection for Clinton and appreciate her ability to draw donors. They argue the dinner is primarily a practical move to fund the party’s operations rather than an indication of political ambitions.
Context in Clinton’s New Hampshire history
Clinton’s ties to New Hampshire have deep roots: she won the 2008 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary during her first presidential campaign and later lost the state’s primary to Senator Bernie Sanders in her 2016 bid. Since the 2016 general election, she has visited New Hampshire on occasion, including a stop in Concord during a book tour in December 2017 and a speech at Dartmouth College in 2019. Those prior visits, combined with her ability to attract national attention, help explain why the state party turned to her for this fundraising role.
What to watch
As April 25 approaches, observers will watch for the tone of Clinton’s remarks and whether the event shifts from pure fundraising to issue-focused messaging. While Clinton has publicly ruled out running in 2028 and party leaders insist the dinner is about resource-building, the gathering will still serve as a flashpoint for debates over generational change, fundraising priorities and the best strategy to compete in early states.
Reporting on this development reflects the interplay of party fundraising needs, candidate emergence in early states and lingering debates about leadership and renewal within the Democratic Party. The dinner will likely be as much about bolstering the NHDP’s capacity as it is about celebrating a familiar national figure who continues to draw attention across the political spectrum.