Arnold Schwarzenegger

Governor California
Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy in the 2003 California recall election for Governor California on the August 6, 2003 episode The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. As a candidate in the recall election, Schwarzenegger had the most name recognition in a crowded field candidates, but he had never held public fice and his political views were unknown to most Californians. His candidacy immediately became national and international news, with media outlets dubbing him the "Governator" (referring to The Terminator movies) and "The Running Man" (the name another one his films), and calling the recall election "Total Recall" (yet another Schwarzenegger starrer). Schwarzenegger declined to participate in several debates with other recall replacement candidates, and appeared in only one debate on September 24, 2003.
On October 7, 2003, the recall election resulted in Governor Gray Davis being removed from fice with 55.4% the Yes vote in favor a recall. Schwarzenegger was elected Governor California under the second question on the ballot with 48.6% the vote to choose a successor to Davis. Schwarzenegger defeated Democrat Cruz Bustamante, fellow Republican Tom McClintock, and others. His nearest rival, Bustamante, received 31% the vote. In total, Schwarzenegger won the election by about 1.3 million votes. Under the regulations the California Constitution, no runf election was required. Schwarzenegger was the first foreign-born governor California since Irish-born Governor John G. Downey in 1862.