Dem Senate candidate clarifies: Clinton is honest

After sidestepping questions on Monday about whether Hillary Clinton is honest, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) offered a more emphatic endorsement of the Democratic presidential nominee’s trustworthiness.

“Yes, as do military and national security experts from both political parties,” the Democratic Senate candidate told WMUR in response to a direct question about Clinton’s trustworthiness, according to CNN. 

{mosads}Earlier in the day, Hassan avoided a direct answer to a similar question, highlighting the problems some Democratic candidates could have with questions about Clinton. 

Polls show a majority of voters do not think Clinton is trustworthy. The Democratic presidential nominee has been dealing with a long-running controversy over her use of a private email server while secretary of State. 

“I support Hillary Clinton for the presidency because her experience and her record demonstrate that she’s qualified to hold the job,” Hassan told CNN in response to a question about whether Clinton is “honest and trustworthy.”

Hassan is locked in a tight election fight with Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), with Hassan currently leading Ayotte by 1 point in the RealClearPolitics average of polls.

Hassan’s campaign later told CNN that she believes Clinton — who she endorsed last year — is honest. But Republicans have seized on her televised comments.