Former governor, and Senatorial candidate, Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) has been endorsed by the Sierra Club.

The endorsement came at a Concord event at the State Library and was immediately criticized by Shaheen's expected rival, U.S. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley).

"I am honored to be here today and grateful to have the support of the Sierra Club," Shaheen said in a statement. "We need leadership in Washington that understands the urgency of our environmental situation and the need for green policies."

However, Sununu argued the group is "undermining" forest preservation efforts in the Granite State.

"How fitting that endorsement being trumpeted by Jeanne Shaheen is from a Washington Interest Group that is trying to undermine New Hampshire's 10-year forest plan for protecting, supporting, and managing the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF)," Sununu said in a press release.

Sununu also said that Shaheen has "turned her back" on New Hampshire.

"Today, Jeanne Shaheen has turned her back on her own state, endorsing the tactics of a DC lobbyist group that is working to tear apart what was built through consensus and cooperation here in New Hampshire."