The national chairwoman of John Kerry's presidential campaign told a gathering of more than 500 Utah Democrats on Thursday not to be discouraged.

"I know there's been some hand-wringing in the last couple of weeks as the polls show George Bush gaining ground," Jeanne Shaheen, the former governor of New Hampshire, said during the party's annual Eleanor Roosevelt Awards Luncheon.

Shaheen, credited with the turnaround in Kerry's once-troubled campaign for the Democratic nomination, predicted the Massachusetts senator will defeat President Bush in November.

"I can tell you, John Kerry is the best when he's behind," she said. "John Kerry never gives up. He's a fighter." Shaheen saw that demonstrated after she took over the campaign chairmanship a year ago, when pundits were predicting Kerry would drop out of the race.

Shaheen has been called a presidential kingmaker for her work on behalf of Democratic candidates, including former President Jimmy Carter and Gary Hart, a former senator from Colorado. She lost her own U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire two years ago.

New Hampshire, Shaheen said, is not so different from Utah. Both states have been dubbed the most Republican in the nation in past years. Shaheen served as New Hampshire's first female governor, the first Democrat elected to the post in 16 years.

She later told reporters that even though Bush is expected to win Utah, it's important for voters here to support Kerry. "We need to remind people how important this election is. Your vote counts in Utah just like it does in New Hampshire and in a battleground state."

Utah Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn said Kerry will help the ticket here.

"While Sen. Kerry may not win Utah, I think there are enough people that will think, 'Maybe I should look at some of the Democrats at the state level,' " Dunn said. "As a party, we're asking people to think."

Shaheen said the election is expected to be one of the closest ever. She said the country is polarized, but that should change as more voters become familiar with Bush's record — especially on the war in Iraq, the economy and health care.

But she could not name the issue that will turn the tide for Kerry. "That's still to be determined," she said. Even the upcoming presidential debates may not make the difference. Shaheen said Bush benefits from lowered expectations but is a good debater like Kerry.

Thursday's luncheon focused on the role of women in the party. State Sen. Paula Julander, D-Salt Lake, was honored with the party's Eleanor Roosevelt award for her work on behalf of women and other groups.

"There are many who would return to the bad old days," Julander said, calling Roosevelt a "powerful inspiration" to continue working on behalf of women, civil rights and the gay and lesbian community.

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