Kerry's wife sets campaign stops in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN -- Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of the Democratic presidential front-runner, is tentatively scheduled to make two stops Friday in Youngstown on behalf of her husband's campaign.
Heinz Kerry is supposed to discuss urban revitalization at 4 p.m. Friday. The Mahoning County Democratic Party will then host a meet-and-greet at 6 p.m. that day, according to a copy of Heinz Kerry's schedule, obtained this morning by The Vindicator.
Ditzler is delegate
Austintown Trustee David Ditzler, a Kerry delegate for the 17th Congressional District, said that he is working with U.S. Sen. John Kerry's staff on the candidate's wife's visit to the area and that the 4 p.m. event will be at a location in Youngstown yet to be announced. The meet-and-greet will be at Anthony's on the River in downtown Youngstown.
"It is our plan to be in Youngstown; she's interested in meeting people in Youngstown," said Kathy Roeder, a Kerry campaign Ohio spokeswoman. "We're looking at campaigning in Youngstown and making both events a reality."
Important stop
Roeder said Youngstown is an important campaign stop for two reasons: It is one of the state's most Democratic cities, and it is close to Heinz Kerry's hometown of Pittsburgh.
"She feels connected to Youngstown," Roeder said.
Dan Trevas, Ohio Democratic Party communications director and a former Statehouse reporter for The Vindicator, said he urged Roeder to have Heinz Kerry visit Youngstown.
"It's a good Democratic area, and she'll have some familiarity with it," Trevas said. "We need the Mahoning Valley to be energized for this election, and this will help."
Heinz Kerry will campaign in Columbus on Thursday and Friday, and hold a luncheon in Cleveland on Friday before coming to Youngstown.
The Ohio primary is March 2, called Super Tuesday because 10 states are holding primaries or caucuses on that day. An Ohio poll released Friday shows Kerry, of Massachusetts, has a strong lead in Ohio.
Kerry will campaign Wednesday in Dayton and Columbus, Roeder said.