|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 9 October 2003 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
"Terminator" elected "Governator" LOS ANGELES, Wednesday (AFP) Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected governor of California Tuesday as furious voters sacked unpopular incumbent Gray Davis in a special election that produced drama worthy of a Hollywood movie. "We have had a lot of good nights over the last 20 years but tonight the people did decide that it's time for someone else to serve, and I accept their judgement," Davis said in conceding defeat two hours after polls closed. "I have placed a call to Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger just a few minutes ago to congratulate him on being elected governor," he said as he admitted he had lost his job just 11 months into his second four-year term. California's top electoral official released early figures indicating Davis would be sacked by 55 percent of the votes with just 44 percent of the voters wanting him to stay on. Schwarzenegger would be elected by 50 percent of voters against 31 percent for his nearest rival, Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante. The figures were issued with 29 percent of votes counted in the most populous US state that is home to 35 million people including 15.3 million registered voters. The results of the stunning decision by Californians mean that Democrat Bustamante will become the moderate Republican Schwarzenegger's deputy. The vote marked the first time in 82 years that a sitting US governor has been stripped of power in a special recall vote. The last governor to be ousted was North Dakota leader Lunn Fraziet in 1921. Celebrations erupted at Schwarzenegger's election night headquarters as Republicans seized control of the top job in a state that is traditionally a Democratic bastion. Hundreds of Schwarzenegger's staff and supporters celebrated ecstatically at the same luxury hotel in Los Angeles county where another former Hollywood star and California governor, Ronald Reagan, learned he had become US president in 1980. "Clearly, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a special candidate for a special election at a special time in California history," said the man who launched and bankrolled the recall effort, US Congressman Darrell Issa. At least 1,000 people were packed into the ballroom at the Century Plaza Hotel awaiting an expected victory speech by the Austrian-born former Mr. Universe who became one of Hollywood's top box office stars. "We're making history tonight," said volunteer Jason Byant. "Ever since term limits, more people have had the opportunity to get involved in government." Schwarzenegger's success came despite a wave of potentially-damaging last minute allegations that he sexually harassed at least 16 women over his 30 year film career. Schwarzenegger apologized last week for having "behaved badly" to women, but denied the specifics of the allegations. And his spokesman Todd Harris said Tuesday that voters would ignore the charges because they were the result of a "last minute smear campaign by Davis." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
