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Susan Lynch, the wife of Democratic Gov. John Lynch, waded into the presidential primary race yesterday with an endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton. The announcement - which took place in a room crowded with Clinton's prominent state supporters - came as John Lynch reaffirmed his intention to stay on the sidelines.

The governor will "continue to focus on being a good host to the primary," said Colin Manning, the governor's spokesman. "He intends to remain neutral."

But with John Lynch steering clear of the presidential endorsement game, yesterday's announcement was the closest a candidate has come to being aligned with the governor. Susan Lynch will serve as a co-chairwoman of Clinton's national campaign.

"It allows the governor flexibility - he doesn't have to officially come out and endorse anyone - but the understanding of support is there," said Wayne Lesperance, an associate professor of political science at New England College. "If he does endorse somebody that doesn't win and some other candidate feels particularly burned by it, that could affect the state negatively in the future."

For a historical model, several political analysts pointed to the 2004 Iowa caucuses. Christie Vilsack, whose husband, Tom Vilsack, was at the time Iowa's governor, publicly endorsed John Kerry, then running for the Democratic nomination. Her husband remained, at least officially, neutral.

Speaking in the carriage house of the Kimball-Jenkins Estate in Concord yesterday afternoon, Susan Lynch framed her support largely in terms of health care. A pediatrician at Concord Hospital's cholesterol treatment center, Susan Lynch has frequently used her position as first lady to raise awareness of childhood obesity and promote exercise and healthy eating habits.

Saying that she and Clinton "share a lifelong commitment" to providing health care for children and families, Susan Lynch described Clinton as "the candidate who can finally succeed in this area." She commended Clinton's plan to extend health insurance to all Americans and enhance disease prevention as "uniquely American: It focuses on quality, on prevention and on choice."

Although Susan Lynch has held public events since her husband was elected governor, she tends to avoid the political spotlight. Announcing her endorsement of Clinton, Susan Lynch alluded to her affinity for staying out of political contests.

"As first lady, pediatrician and most importantly a mother, I do not take my endorsement lightheartedly. And in fact, short of my husband's own campaign, I have never chosen to publicly participate in a political campaign," she said. In 2004, Lynch supported Howard Dean, albeit in a far less public role: She joined nearly 300 other "Doctors for Dean" in New Hampshire, according to the Clinton campaign.

After Susan Lynch spoke, Clinton returned the favor, calling her "a friend" who "embodies that problem-solving commitment that I admire so much." In September, Clinton and her husband, former president Bill Clinton, went on a public outing with the Lynches to the Hopkinton State Fair. Last year, Bill Clinton joined Susan Lynch at a Manchester forum to raise awareness about childhood obesity.

Reeling off a list of health-related bills passed during John Lynch's tenure, Hillary Clinton described the Lynch administration as having "a bipartisan approach to nonpartisan problems. It's a real breath of fresh air, and while some in Washington believe that's not possible, Dr. Lynch and Gov. Lynch have proved them wrong."

"I'm so honored to have by my side in this campaign, and a telephone call away when I'm president to provide advice and guidance and a real world perspective, Dr. Susan Lynch," Clinton said.

The endorsement provided an opportunity for Clinton to summarize her health care proposal, which is aimed at providing coverage to all Americans. "I think we are up to the challenge of lowering costs for everyone, improving quality for everyone and covering everyone. And we should not settle for half measures," Clinton said. (next page »)