More than 100 female New Jersey public officials began a push for former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday, forming "New Jersey Women for Hillary" in advance of the state's June 7 primary.

Members of the group issued statements in support of Clinton, who is seeking to become the first woman to be nominated for president by a national political party. She faces Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary.

"Hillary has been fighting for women, children, and families her entire life," said state Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen).

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th Dist.) said Clinton has "never backed away from a fight for women's rights."

Members of the group planned to make phone calls to women voters from nine locations around the state Thursday.

Their numbers include seven state senators; 15 Assembly members, including Majority Conference Leader Shavonda Sumter (D-Passaic); and dozens of county and municipal officials.

Among their concerns are abortion rights, affordable child care and education, paid family leave, and equal pay for equal work.

"Women across this state have fought for decades to put themselves on equal footing in public service and at the workplace," said state Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden).

Clinton could clinch the Democratic presidential nomination with a strong performance in the New Jersey primary. She was 90 delegates short of a first-ballot victory, according to the Associated Press, with New Jersey's 142 still to be allocated after June 7.

A Quinnipiac University poll of likely Democratic primary voters released Thursday gave her a 54 percent to 40 percent advantage over Sanders.

Clinton has campaigned in the state, as has her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea, who next week is scheduled to make her third trip of the month to New Jersey. Sanders also has visited the state.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook