AUGUSTA – A pair of fundraising receptions to benefit Gov. John Baldacci’s re-election campaign this month will feature appearances by 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.

The events on Dec. 17, in the afternoon at the Sea Dog in Bangor and in the evening at the Samoset Inn in Rockport, will cost sponsors $100, hosts $250 and chairs $500, according to Democratic Party officials.

While losing the national election to Republican incumbent George W. Bush in 2004, Kerry took both of Maine’s congressional districts and secured all four of the state’s electoral votes, defeating Bush 53.6 percent to 44.6 percent statewide.

Three days before Maine’s Democratic caucuses in February 2004, Baldacci voiced his support for the presidential candidacy of the Massachusetts senator. Kerry won the voting among party activists in Maine the next weekend.

Baldacci, a Bangor native who served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives after 12 years in the state Senate, won the governorship in 2002 by defeating Republican Peter Cianchette of South Portland, who announced this year he would run again but then withdrew, and two other candidates, Green Independent Jonathan Carter of Lexington Township and independent John Michael of Auburn.

Recently, Kerry has accused Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney of concealing critical dissenting information before Congress voted in October 2002 to support military action in Iraq. Kerry was among those who voted yes.

Kerry, who has been said to be considering another run for the White House, also has put forth a plan to bring 20,000 troops home after Dec. 15 elections in Iraq.

Dogged by lackluster poll numbers but without a significant opponent within the Democratic Party, Baldacci has seen several Republicans step forward in hopes of challenging him next year.

Competitive entrants in the contest for a Republican gubernatorial nomination are state Sens. Peter Mills of Cornville and Chandler Woodcock of Farmington, as well as former U.S. Rep. David Emery of St. George.

Among little-known candidates in the race are Republican Stephen Stimpson of Bangor, and independents Alex Hammer of Bangor, Bobby Mills of Biddeford and Nancy Oden of Jonesboro.

And there remains frequent speculation in political circles about whether, even at this relatively late date in the 2006 election cycle, the field of gubernatorial hopefuls is fully formed.