RANCHO SANTA FE -- Hotelier Samuel A. Hardage, the husband of Del Mar fair board member Vivian Hardage and a generous contributor to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been appointed to the Commission on Judicial Performance, according to a notice issued Friday by the governor's press office.

The independent panel investigates complaints of judicial misconduct and judicial incapacity. It has the authority to discipline judges. Panelists receive no salary.

A retired Air Force officer and Vietnam veteran, Hardage, 68, co-founded Woodfin Suite Hotels in 1969. In 1991, he and his wife founded the Vision for Children Charity.

State records show the Hardages have donated $58,000 to Schwarzenegger.

A politically connected Republican, Samuel Hardage received Rep. Brian Bilbray's backing when Hardage initiated a probe of his employees' immigration status.