Sen. John Kerry's stepson visited the University on Monday and said tuition is a crisis on college campuses.
Chris Heinz said tuition is up 35 percent nationwide. At UNM, tuition has increased by $1,300 over the last four years.
"People are having a hard time making ends meet," Heinz said.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee, has a two-pronged approach to rising tuition costs.
It includes tax credits providing $2,500 each year for tuition payments - a 100 percent credit for the first $1,000 in tuition and a 50 percent credit on the next $3,000. The second prong would be a $10 billion federal fund states could tap to spend on higher education, but colleges would have to agree not to raise tuition faster than the rate of inflation.
Terri Nikole Baca, co-chair of the College Democrats, said the only way to really target students is to bring in someone like Heinz, 31, who can appeal to their needs.
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"This season has been a great opportunity to get momentum with younger voters," she said.
Heinz began campaigning on college campuses during the primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire.
"I just wanted to pretend I was 20 again," he said.
Instead of talking out at people, Heinz said he wanted to be in the position to answer questions.
"Because he is so young, he understands what college students want in a president," UNM student Dahlia Dorman said.
She said Heinz was personable, and she was impressed with his answers.
About 200 people gathered on Johnson Field to hear Heinz speak.
The sound of flip-flop sandals slapped together by the College Republicans echoed in the background.
They said they did not get a fair chance to meet Heinz.
"I thought he was a decent guy," said Alexandra Rose. "I wanted to say 'Hi'."
After Democratic supporters were leaving the field, the College Republicans converged on Heinz, many of them staying for a chance to meet him.
Ruben Pulido, Kerry campaign spokesman, said he felt the students were being hostile and told them to leave after swearing at them.
"We did not want to put him (Heinz) in a situation," he said. "Who knew what they were going to do?"
Heinz quit his job in finance to support the Kerry campaign along with his siblings.
"I'm just honored to be part of the process to help my stepfather," he said.
His mother, Teresa Heinz Kerry, married John Kerry in 1995. She was previously married to John Heinz, a Republican senator, for 25 years until his death in a plane crash in 1991.
"I did not need or want another father at that point, as you can imagine," he said.
Heinz said his stepfather gained his respect by blending the two families and creating friendships, adding the Democrat agenda was never forced on him.
Instead of treating Americans like 10-year-old children, Heinz said, Kerry earns respect.
"(Bush) does not play well with others," Heinz said.
New Mexico education has different needs that should be addressed with local standards, he said.
"What you may need to learn for a test in New Mexico is far different than in other parts of the country," Heinz said, adding Kerry would fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act.
Heinz said students should really be thinking hard about the effects this election will have on their lives.
What was once an election in which only 35 percent of young voters participated is now one 65 percent are expected to participate in, he said.
"I want us to get back to the point that we have pride," Heinz said.
