President Bush Saturday is campaigning for Republican candidates in the western states of California and New Mexico. Republicans hope to regain control of the U.S. Senate in November's Congressional elections.
President Bush raised nearly $3 million for California gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon.
Mr. Simon is trailing the state's Democratic incumbent in both fundraising and opinion polls, in part because his family firm has been fined nearly $80 million for business fraud.
The president says Mr. Simon has told him he is innocent. At a Saturday breakfast rally, Mr. Bush urged Californians to vote for Mr. Simon. "I stand by his side, because I know that you can do better in California, that the status quo is not acceptable, that what Sacramento needs is a breath of fresh air," he said.
The president is also campaigning in New Mexico Saturday, raising money for a Congressional candidate. Republicans hope to keep their majority in the House and regain control of the Senate in November elections.