Presidential Candidate Romney Raises Funds On California Trip

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was in the Bay Area Tuesday night looking for some California cash.

On a warm Tuesday evening, Romney visited a Portola Valley barbeque and fundraiser.

A campaign volunteer called it a "low key event," but an event flier made it clear that admission was far from low: donors were expected to give between $1,000 and $10,000.

The barbeque was at the home of Sun Microsystems founder Scott McNealy. During the event, McNealy tweeted 200 supporters were there for food and whiffle ball.

KTVU was told Romney arrived dressed in suit and tie, but quickly dressed down. The latest field poll shows the former governor of Massachusetts leading the GOP field in California. He is preferred by 25 percent of registered Republican voters.

KTVU talked to Bill Draper of Atherton as he was leaving the event.

"The governor arrived right on time with his lovely wife Ann and he chatted it up with a lot of good friends and good supporters. He looks like he's the next president of the United States," reported Draper.

We could not get a guest list, but were told 2010 Republican candidate for governor Meg Whitman was in attendance.

Supporters such as Coleman Andrews of Danville said Romney has what it takes to defeat President Obama

"We were business partners for many years; co-founders of Bing Capital together and I've had a chance to watch him in business, the Olympics, governor of Massachusetts and have a high regard for his leadership," said Andrews.

When Romney ran for president in 2008, he raised more money in California than any other state with $8 million.