This Day in History: , Arnold Schwarzenegger
Becomes California Governor.
October 7, 2003.
The four-time Mr. Universe and action film star replaced
Grey Davis. Davis had been recalled by CA voters.
Schwarzenegger ran as a Republican,
appealing to voters of the world's fifth-largest
economy with promises of reform.
He announced his 11-week
campaign on 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.'.
Perhaps most well known for his role in
James Cameron's 'The Terminator,'
Schwarzenegger had almost no political experience.
Regardless, he handily defeated the closest
challenger in the race, Lieutenant Governor
Cruz Bustamante, by more than a million votes.
Schwarzenegger was re-elected in 2007,
serving as CA governor until 2011