Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has hired the executive director of New Hampshire's Democratic Party to oversee her state operations. Nick Clemons, 33, will leave the party and begin work as Clinton's New Hampshire state director in several weeks, he said yesterday.

Clemons's New Hampshire organizing experience runs deep. As party director, he helped coordinate the Democratic takeover of the House and Senate in November's elections.

Prior to joining the Democratic Party in November 2004, Clemons served as John Kerry's state director. He previously worked for former governor Jeanne Shaheen, both in the State House and on her campaigns. The Democratic Party will likely hire an interim director, officials said yesterday.

Sarah Liebowitz