FARMINGTON – More than 100 people attended a talk Wednesday given by Andre Heinz, stepson of John Kerry, at the University of Maine at Farmington.

Heinz, son of Teresa Heinz Kerry and stepson of the Democratic presidential hopeful, spoke about Kerry’s plans for the country in terms of taxation, health care, the economy and the environment.

The attendees – mostly students and mostly Kerry supporters – came to hear Heinz speak for a variety of reasons.

First-time voters and UMF freshmen Asa Marsh and Nate Petersen sat together while waiting for Heinz.

Marsh said he was excited about the campaign. He traveled to Lewiston to hear Kerry’s running mate, John Edwards, speak several weeks ago. Although he said he has already voted for Kerry by absentee ballot, he was glad for the opportunity to see Heinz.

“It’s fun to see stuff like this,” he said.

Petersen, who has yet to vote, was hesitant to say he supported Kerry. He said he opposed the current administration but was “more against one direction than for the other.”

“I don’t know a lot about Kerry,” he said. “That’s why I’m here.”

He said he was concerned about the safety of the country and the country’s image in the world.

Marsh agreed, nodding his head and saying, “That’s the main reason.”

Janelle Carslick, a Republican, attended with some friends.

She said she was nervous, particularly when she declined the offer of a Kerry-Edwards campaign sticker from a campus organizer. She felt pressured to wear it but was relieved when the organizer figured it out and told her they appreciated her coming.

“It’s hard being a Republican on a college campus,” she said.

The 20-year-old from Brunswick said she already had cast her vote for President Bush but wanted to see what the Democrats had to offer and learn more about their values. She said she feels that Bush is honest, straightforward and a strong leader, and feels safe with him in the leadership role.

There were probably threatening things out there that the country needed to be protected from, she said in reference to a lack of weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq.

“I stand behind our leader going with his gut feeling to protect us,” she said.

A contingent of teens from SAD 9 was also in attendance.

Thirteen-year-old Lance Emery of Farmington said he wanted to be involved even if he couldn’t vote. His friends echoed that sentiment.

“It will be interesting to hear what someone who knows John Kerry has to say,” said 15-year-old Nick Peruffo of Farmington. “We do realize how important this election is,” he said.

Peruffo came armed with a can of Heinz tomato soup, which he later had Heinz autograph. He did not hesitate to point out to the candidate’s stepson that the product, sold by his mother’s company, was produced in New Zealand, an irony that escaped nobody since Heinz had spoken of Kerry’s plan to keep and create jobs in this country. Though he couldn’t deny what it said on the can, Heinz pointed out that the farm from which the tomatoes came was an organic one.

The teens, some of whom posed questions to Heinz during the formal event, all left saying they would vote for Kerry if they could.