CAMPAIGN 2004 Kerry's stepson generates buzz

Some wonder if Chris Heinz will follow his father and stepfather into politics.
BEAVER, Pa. (AP) -- The youngest stepson of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has stumped for his stepfather on college campuses, raised money for him at trendy Miami hot spots and talked him up in die-hard Democrats' living rooms in western Pennsylvania. He says he has one goal: helping Kerry win the White House.
But everywhere Chris Heinz goes, it's his plans after the election that are creating buzz. And that's especially true in western Pennsylvania, where the Heinz name is as much a part of the region's history as steel mills and pirogies.
Heinz, 31, is heir to the $500 million Heinz food fortune, appears on the gossip pages for dating Hollywood actresses and is often compared in looks and lineage to John F. Kennedy Jr. A graduate of Yale University, Heinz quit his job at a private equity firm in New York City to work on Kerry's campaign, and jokes that he hasn't gotten a paycheck in a year and a half.
"He's known in the trade as the complete and total package," Democratic State Chairman T.J. Rooney said.
Political future?
He certainly has good role models. Heinz's father was Republican U.S. Sen. John Heinz, whom some have said would have made his own run for president if he hadn't been killed in a 1991 plane crash.
"If I could be half as successful as my dad and stepdad, I would be a happy guy," said Heinz, who said he hasn't decided if he'll run for office.
"I really have no plans after Nov. 2," Heinz said.
Stephen K. Medvic, an assistant professor of government at Franklin & amp; Marshall College, said Heinz would have huge name recognition if he sought office. But he said it's unclear whether Heinz would first seek a state office, or run for Congress.
"The tendency for someone who has a fairly high profile is to shoot kind of high, but that doesn't always work," Medvic said. "A lot of this will be determined by circumstances -- what seats come open, who's vulnerable. No matter how popular he might be, running against an entrenched incumbent isn't a sure bet."
If Heinz ran for the House from the 4th District, where the family's home is located, he could face Republican Melissa Hart. She is favored to win a third term in November over Democratic challenger Steven Drobac, despite the district's Democratic majority.
"The congresswoman is focused on serving the needs of her district, not on breathless speculation of who may or may not run for office," said Lee Cohen, Hart's spokesman.
Rooney said he thinks if Heinz enters politics, it won't be until 2006.
"If he were to harbor any political ambitions in this state, he'd be embraced with open arms," Rooney said.
Finding 'home'
Heinz said he recognizes that western Pennsylvania is his family's home. But because he grew up attending schools in Washington and most recently lived in New York, he said it's hard for him to define what home is. Named to People magazine's list of the 50 hottest bachelors this week, Heinz said he hopes to marry and settle down.
He is currently registered to vote in New York but is not affiliated with any party. Heinz plans to vote in Pennsylvania as a Democrat in November, Kerry spokesman Mark Nevins said.
For now, Heinz has been making his rounds for the Kerry campaign. This week, he attended several "house parties," or informal gatherings with Democrats in their western Pennsylvania homes. The Kerry campaign has sponsored thousands of such gatherings in recent months.
With the top button undone on his white, long-sleeved shirt, Heinz this week stood at Nancy Werme's dining-room table in Beaver and talked about Kerry's views on jobs, education and possible vice-presidential candidates. About 30 people gathered to hear Heinz talk, and many encouraged him to get into politics.
"I think he should name you for vice president," Carolyn Hewko of Beaver shouted out during the discussion.
Comfortable spokesman
Though he describes himself as a nerd and not good at public speaking, Heinz seems comfortable talking about his family and working the crowd. When the doorbell rang, he and the Werme family dog, Max, both ran to get it. And when he needed a refill on his Diet Pepsi, he stood behind the bar filling his cup and everyone else's.
"Singles are fine. Tens are better," Heinz joked regarding tips.
Joking aside, he is taking an active role in the campaign. For example, because of the combative relationship between former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Kerry in the primaries, Heinz met privately for about three hours with Dean because he said he thought it would be cathartic.
He's especially eager to talk about health care and jobs, two issues he thinks Americans care most about.
"The American worker is facing a hard time. This administration is aggravating the situation," Heinz told the crowd at Werme's house.
Werme, the Beaver County prothonotary, said she hopes Heinz makes his own run for office.
"He's very down-to-earth," Werme said. "I think that's what people need today -- someone they feel comfortable with."