PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Just two days before New Hampshire voters go to the polls, Hillary Clinton left the state Sunday to tour the devastated city of Flint, Michigan.
Mrs. Clinton — who remains far behind Democratic presidential primary rival Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders in polls here in the Granite State — has in recent weeks spoken out extensively on Flint, where high lead levels in drinking water have spawned a public health crisis and calls for Republican Gov. Rick Snyder to resign.
Flint officials say Mrs. Clinton has been far more engaged on the issue than any other presidential candidate.
“Secretary Clinton has been in touch with the mayor personally and the two staffs have been in consistent contact,” Kristin Moore, communications director for Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, told MSNBC. “As far as I know, Clinton is the only presidential candidate —Republican or Democrat — who has reached out.”
Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Sanders will debate March 6 in Flint, one of three additional Democratic forums added to the primary calendar after extensive wrangling between the two campaigns and the Democratic National Committee.
As Mrs. Clinton travels to Flint on Sunday, Mr. Sanders will continue making his last-minute pitch to voters. Sunday afternoon, he will hold a get-out-the-vote rally at Great Bay Community College here.
Mrs. Clinton will return to the state Monday for several events ahead of Tuesday’s primary.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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