Teresa Heinz Kerry is bringing her husband's presidential campaign to Penn State tomorrow night.

Heinz Kerry will speak at 7:30 p.m. on the steps of Old Main, said Mary Jo Haverbeck, a volunteer with Centre County Democrats, 236 E. Calder Way.

College Democrats chair Megan Green advised students to arrive at Old Main by 6:30 tomorrow evening because there will be a security checkpoint that could potentially hold up those arriving after that time.

"There's going to be security there; we're not exactly sure how it's working [yet]," Green said, adding that no security details were available as of 10 p.m. last night.

Khristyn Brimmeier, Kerry-Edwards western Pennsylvania communications director, said Heinz Kerry chose State College because of its importance in the election.

"Centre County and State College are as important parts of the state as the cities on either end," she said.

She added that the large concentration of student-age voters also motivated Heinz Kerry to stop in the area, because young people will be very important in the November election.

Andy Banducci, College Republicans chair, said the importance of Pennsylvania in the election makes it a prime area for speakers from both parties.

"Pennsylvania is a battleground for both sides," he said. "Obviously, Republicans and Democrats are going to both speak here, so there needs to be a balance."

Green said the Democratic Party has been targeting the center of the state for good reason.

"Centre County is pretty Democratic for Central Pennsylvania," she said. "I think Centre County is often underestimated for how many Democrats are here and how much of a stronghold for the Democrats it can be."

Bob Shepherd, Centre County Democratic Committee chair, also said Pennsylvania's position as a swing state in the election has influenced campaign schedules.

He said he expects to see many speakers from both sides come to Centre County before the election.

"I'd be surprised if the Republicans do [skip it]," he said.

Representatives from the local Republican re-election office, 231 S. Allen St., were unavailable for comment yesterday.

Brimmeier added that Heinz Kerry enjoys making stops in Pennsylvania since she has lived in the state in the past.

"She feels very rooted here in Pennsylvania and she loves being here," she said.

Mark Nevins, Kerry-Edwards Pennsylvania campaign spokesman, also said Heinz Kerry has a connection to the area.

"She loves Penn State and Centre County," he said. "She's also been involved with the state philanthropically and politically. She wants to win Pennsylvania."

Green said her group is helping to organize the speech after Heinz Kerry's representatives called yesterday morning to arrange a visit.

Brimmeier said it's not unusual for campaign stops to be planned less than a week ahead of time.

"It's always frantic," she said.

Banducci said the College Republicans have no events planned for this week, but are working on events for this month and until the election.

-- Collegian staff writers Josh Kowalkowski and Laura Michalski contributed to this report.