Schwarzenegger to unveil statue, push after-school programs in Ohio

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to wade back into politics this week, but in typical Schwarzenegger fashion, a scheduled appearance in Ohio on Friday will be part policy, part self-promotion.

The former governor is to be in his de facto second home state with Republican Gov. John Kasich to announce the expansion of after-school programs there.

Schwarzenegger is also scheduled to attend the unveiling of a bronze statue of himself as he kicks off the 24th Arnold Sports Festival. According to a release from Schwarzenegger's office, the event is to include competitions in "bodybuilding and other sports such as archery, gymnastics, ballroom dancing, and martial arts."

The issue of after-school care is one in which Schwarzenegger has shown interest over the years. In 2002, he championed Proposition 49, which earmarked a portion of existing revenues for after-school programs in California. That campaign laid the groundwork for his gubernatorial run in 2003, when he replaced Gray Davis in a historic recall election.

While he was governor in 2004, Schwarzenegger went to Ohio to campaign for then-President George W. Bush’s reelection, a move that stirred up political controversy in Democratic California. Bush narrowly won the state, which helped give him an electoral college victory over the Democratic nominee, John Kerry.

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-- Anthony York in Sacramento

Photo: Arnold Schwarzenegger inspects a statue of himself that is now on display in his hometown of Gras, Austria. Credit: Getty Images