Schwarzenegger seeks $100,000 donations

SACRAMENTO, April 21 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is selling tickets to two of his upcoming political fundraisers for at least $100,000 a head.

The Sacramento Bee reported Tuesday that donors who write the check will join California's first couple Thursday at the Schwarzeneggers' Los Angeles mansion and dine there again next month.

The four-page fundraising invitation obtained by the newspaper outlines the events, which have drawn criticism from watchdog groups.

"These sums may be a small price (for donors) to pay in comparison with the potential benefit that they might derive," said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics in Washington.

Julie Soderlund, a spokeswoman for the governor, said the events are "opportunities for people to hear about the governor's vision for the state," not for the governor to hear their political agenda.

"The governor is absolutely not influenced by a contribution and totally driven on a policy front by what he believes is best for California," Soderlund said. "If you look at this governor's record, he's shown time and time again he's his own thinker."