Advertisement Former Ambassador Terry Shumaker endorses Joe Biden for president One of several key NH endorsements of former VP on first day of campaign Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Attorney Terry Shumaker is best known in New Hampshire presidential politics for his close friendship and association with former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.But before Shumaker became a friend of the Clintons, he was a friend and supporter of Joe Biden. Now, hours after Biden announced his candidacy for president, Shumaker wasted no time getting on board with his old friend.“I will be supporting the former vice president,” Shumaker told WMUR in making the endorsement.“I think he would be a very good president and would restore integrity and decency to the White House. And he will uphold the Constitution.”Shumaker joined former Gov. John Lynch and former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick in backing Biden on the first day of Biden’s official candidacy.A former member of the Democratic National Committee who has worked to keep New Hampshire’s presidential primary first-in-the-nation, Shumaker recalled that Biden testified on his behalf during Senate confirmation hearings when former President Clinton nominated him as Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. Shumaker held the ambassadorship from 1997-2001 during Clinton's second term.“I was honored when he delivered that testimony,” Shumaker recalled. “As a former ambassador, I believe the entire world breathe a huge sigh of relief if he is elected president,” he said. “He would bring back respect for America and restore the faith of our allies around the world, and it would happen overnight.”In 1987, when the then-U.S. Senator from Delaware made his first run for president, Shumaker was a member of Biden's New Hampshire campaign steering committee.He said Biden’s concern for the middle-class has not changed in more than three decades.“Joe Biden is a man of the people,” Shumaker said. “I think I know him pretty well and I consider him a friend. I think he can speak to all voters and I know he is totally committed to rebuilding the middle class. He understands what it’s like to have a father lose a job because that’s what happened to him.”