Heinz Kerry stumps for husband in Bangor

BANGOR – One of the country’s wealthiest women arrived in Bangor on Friday to campaign for her husband, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“I’m really happy to come up here and lay the groundwork for my husband’s visit,” said Teresa Heinz Kerry. “I’m the torchbearer.”

Heinz Kerry is the widow of Pennsylvania senator and “57 Varieties” heir John Heinz, who died in a plane crash in 1991.

Currently, Kerry is one of the frontrunners in the Democratic nomination process, along with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.

Heinz Kerry didn’t say when her husband would come to Maine to campaign. However, Jesse Connolly, Maine’s political director for the Kerry campaign, said it would be before the Feb. 8 Maine caucus.

Bangor resident Kathy Baldacci played host to the luncheon at her house. Lisa Baldacci, her former sister-in law, started as the Kerry campaign’s state field director two weeks ago. She said this is the first campaign she has worked on outside her family.

“I like John Kerry’s qualities and experience,” she said. “I feel it’s important for a change in the White House.”

Heinz Kerry said her husband has a lot of issues he will fight for as president. At the forefront are health care, economy, early child care, global climate change and the environment.

She said Kerry, whom she married in 1995, campaigns the “old-fashioned way,” and will hold the same philosophy during the presidential election.

“He was elected to the Senate four times with no PAC or soft money,” she said.

After departing the Queen City, Kerry Heinz headed to an assisted-living facility in Lewiston to talk with senior citizens, Connolly said. From there, Kerry Heinz was scheduled to appear at the home of Portland attorney Charlie Micoleau for another house campaign party.