David Jackson

USA TODAY

The New Hampshire Union Leader announced Tuesday it will partner with MSNBC to host a newly added Democratic debate on Feb. 4, five days before the Granite State primary.

"The announcement comes after weeks of grassroots efforts by both undecided Granite Staters and supporters of the Democratic presidential candidates to have a final opportunity to hear from the candidates in a debate setting before voting begins," the newspaper reported.

Joseph W. McQuaid, president and publisher of the Union Leader, said in a statement that New Hampshire voters insisted on some kind of debate before the primary.

"We were always concerned that this would have been the first time in 32 years without a Democratic debate before the New Hampshire primary," McQuaid said. "We are glad to partner with MSNBC to ensure Granite Staters have the information they need to make a critical decision on Feb. 9."

The Union Leader also reported: