In a special election held 20 years ago Saturday, voters in California recalled Governor Gray Davis — who was under fire for ongoing statewide energy and economic crises — and replaced him with bodybuilder and Hollywood action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Opinions differ on whether or not Schwarzenegger was any good in the role. Because in politics, “everybody” is indeed a critic.
Is elected governor with nearly 49% of the vote in a special election featuring 134 other candidates.
On his very first day in office, he fulfills a campaign promise to roll back a controversial increase in the vehicle license fee. Estimated cost to the revenue-strapped state: $4 billion.
Arnold is forced to back away from a proposal to eliminate or consolidate dozens of boards and commissions. Critics said it wouldn't save much and would create a serious loss of regulatory oversight.
He vetoes a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, saying it should be up to the voters or the courts.
Four ballot initiatives championed by Schwarzenegger — one dealing directly with budget reform — lose overwhelmingly in a special election.
Arnold signs bills increasing the state's minimum wage and forcing major industries in the state to reduce carbon emissions.
Arnold wins re-election in a landslide victory after pledging to govern from the center. Voters approve ballot measures to secure $37.2 billion in bonds for roads, affordable housing, levees and schools.
Arnold vetoes a second bill to legalize same-sex marriage.
Arnold orders state workers to take two unpaid days off per month. A third furlough day would be added in 2009.
Arnold signs a state budget that includes $12.8 billion in temporary increases in income and sales taxes — as well as the vehicle license fee he had reduced on his first day in office.
Voters reject ballot measures to extend the temporary tax increases, to impose a state spending cap, to privatize the state lottery, and to redirect money intended for early childhood and mental health programs. The measures were part of the deal Schwarzenegger negotiated with the Legislature in dealing with a $42 million deficit.
Arnold calls a special session of the Legislature to address a $6 billion gap in the budget he signed just weeks earlier. Lawmakers defer action until the new year, when Schwarzenegger's successor, Jerry Brown, takes office.
Four months after leaving office, Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria, announce their separation. A week later, he confirms he fathered a child with his family's housekeeper in 1997.
While one might argue that successful politics requires an understanding of the legislative process and a willingness to compromise, it's also true that the ability to get elected in the first place requires name recognition.
And politicians themselves aren't immune to the effects. At at the 1993 Annual meeting of the National Governors Association, Gov. Donald Carcieri of Rhode Island looked over at Schwarzenegger and told reporters, “In this room, he's one of 50.”
He wistfully added: “But everybody would secretly like to have his autograph.”
Singer, actor
Democrat
U.S. House, 1945-1951
Actor
Republican
U.S. Senate, 1965-1971
Actor
Republican
Governor of California, 1965-1975
President, 1981-1989
Singer, actor
Republican
Ambassador to Gahana, 1974-1976
Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1989-1992
NBA Basketball-player
Democrat
U.S Senate, 1979-1997
Actor director
Independent
Mayor, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif. 1986-1988
Actor, "The Love Boat"
Republican
U.S. House, 1987-1995
Singer, songwriter, actor
Republican
Mayor, Palm Springs Calif. 1988-1992
U.S. House, 1995-1998
Actor, "The Dukes of Hazzard"
Democrat
U.S. House, 1989-1993
Actor
Republican
U.S Senate, 1994-2003
Wrestler
Reform Party
Governor of Minnesota, 1999-2003
Writer, comedian, actor, "Saturday Night Live"
Democrat
U.S Senate, 2009-2019
Independent
Producer, comedian, actor
President of Ukraine, 2019-Present
The role for which he became best known was playing a fictional president of Ukraine on a TV comedy series, “Servant of the People,” that ran from 2015 until his election in 2019.
This edition of Further Review was adapted for the web by Zak Curley.
