California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) will bring some red heat to Central Ohio this week, when he is scheduled to help former state Sen. Steve Stivers (R) raise money for his race against freshman Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D).

Schwarznegger is booked to headline a Friday fundraiser in Columbus to aid Stivers, who is seeking a rematch against Kilroy in the Columbus-based 15th district.

Schwarzenegger — who won bodybuilding contests in Columbus, has business ties to the area and has campaigned for Republican candidates in Ohio — will be in town for his Arnold Sports Festival, a big annual event.

“He’s been very loyal to Columbus, and in Columbus he is someone who is seen as almost a second native,” said John Damschroder, the communications director for Stivers’ campaign.