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The Democratic Party will have a primary race whether presumptive front-runner Hillary Clinton ultimately decides to enter the race or not, political observers and state Democrats said.

"I fully anticipate we're going to have a very robust primary," state Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said. "It's going to happen. (A challenger to Clinton) will emerge. There will be an alternative, and I anticipate a very vibrant primary."

The talk of a primary challenge for Clinton comes as she continues to fend off controversy over her use of a private email account, as well as the decision by the Clinton Foundation to accept donations from individuals with ties to foreign governments, while she was secretary of state.

Last week, 27 New Hampshire Democrats, including state Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, penned an open letter asking Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to enter the race to help ensure an exchange of ideas among Democrat candidates.

"It would help to have a real debate on our side," said Watters, who said his participation in the letter was not an endorsement for Warren. "I think the Democratic Party is hungry for a real debate."

Meanwhile, reports continue to circulate that Clinton's supporters have established a significant ground game for a campaign across the country. That includes New Hampshire, where former staffers for the successful 2014 reelection campaign of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., have been hired.

With Clinton still not saying much about her future either way, but still dominating the possible Democratic field in the eyes of most observers, some of the state's political observers and Democrats say a primary would be a healthy exercise with or without Clinton, the former U.S. secretary of state, former U.S. senator from New York and former first lady.

"I think (Democrats) would like to have the opportunity to debate the issues," said Dante Scala, political science professor at the University of New Hampshire.

In the pages of the New Hampshire Union Leader, Concord attorney and state Democratic supporter Jay Surdukowski wrote that he is a Democrat "Not Ready for Hillary. Not yet, anyway."

"I reject the view Democrats don't have choices," he wrote.

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NH Democrats see need for a Clinton challenger