New Hampshire Grassroots Activist endorses Hillary

Roger Goun, a former software engineer turned progressive political activist, has publicly endorsed Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

While not as well-known as the more than 40 state office-holders who have already endorsed Clinton, Goun represents a new breed of activist — he cut his teeth on the Howard Dean Democratic primary challenge of 2004 and has taken that organizing experience to the next level by helping elect candidates such as state Sen. Maggie Hassan of Exeter and 1st District U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter.

"I hadn't planned on endorsing anyone this early," Goun, 46, told the Herald on Thursday. "Coming from a grass-root position, she just blew me away because of how well she connects with people."

Clinton said she was "honored to have his support," and her state campaign advisers believe that securing Goun's support could lead to greater inroads into the state's growing Democratic activist community. In 2006, it helped elect two Democratic U.S. representatives and shift control in the New Hampshire House and Senate to the Democrats for the first time in decades.

Goun, who co-founded the growing state activist organization Democracy for New Hampshire and is Democratic town chair in Brentwood, said he had seen all the Democratic candidates in person and approached Clinton's campaign to offer his support. He cited what he calls Clinton's strong work ethic, intelligence and realistic policy proposals as reasons.

"She has the right sensibilities for a president and she's ready to start from day one," said Goun, who also is running for the state Senate. He believes that despite some mistrust in the activist community toward Clinton, "if I didn't think she could attract a wide range of support to win this election, I wouldn't have supported her."