Recall ousts Gov. Davis

LOS ANGELES — Californians banished Gov. Gray Davis just 11 months into his second term and elected action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace him Tuesday — a Hollywood ending to one of the most extraordinary political melodramas in the nation’s history.

"I will not fail you, I will not disappoint you, and I will not let you down," the victorious actor vowed.

California is accustomed to watching movie stars and entertainers plunge into politics — Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood, the late Sonny Bono. But it has never seen anything quite like the swift and improbable political rise of Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger, 56, the next governor of the nation’s most populous state.

In less than two months, the thickly accented Austrian immigrant, former bodybuilding champ and star of "Terminator" fame has used his celebrity, his wealth and a relentless throw-the bums-out battle cry to attract legions of disgruntled voters yearning for a postcard California where car taxes never triple and economic good times are as reliable as the sunshine.

Davis becomes the first California governor pried from office and only the second nationwide to be recalled. Partial returns showed the recall favored by 1,895,795 voters, or 54.7 percent, and opposed by 1,569,201, or 45.3 percent.

In the second question as to who the new governor should be: Schwarzenegger led with 1,581,497 votes; Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante followed with 1,007,363; Republican state Sen. Tom McClintock had 419,560; and Green Party candidate Peter Camejo had 77,207.

Schwarzenegger will take office no later than Nov.15, as soon as the election results are certified. Bustamante plans to continue in his role as lieutenant governor, CNN reported.

"Tonight, the voters did decide it’s time for someone else to serve, and I accept their judgment," Davis said in conceding shortly before 10 p.m. He pledged to work for a smooth transition.

"I’m calling on everyone … to put the chaos and division of the recall behind us and do what’s right for this great state of California."

Schwarzenegger was introduced to a delirious crowd at his campaign headquarters by Jay Leno.

"Everything I have is because of California," Schwarzenegger said, in claiming victory. "I came here with absolutely nothing, and California has given me absolutely everything. And today, California has given me the greatest gift of all, you have given me your trust by voting for me."

Schwarzenegger prevailed despite a flurry of negative publicity in the campaign’s final days, surviving allegations that he had groped women and accusations that as a young man he expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler.

Schwarzenegger, husband of television personality Maria Shriver, finds himself in charge of the nation’s most populated state with an economy surpassed only by those of several countries.

Schwarzenegger promised to return the shine to a Golden State beset by massive budget problems and split by deep political divisions.

Voters faced two questions — whether to recall Davis, and who among the other candidates should replace him if he was removed. They chose to get rid of the incumbent and put Schwarzenegger in his place.

About seven in 10 voters interviewed in exit polls said they had made up their minds how they would vote on the recall question more than a month before the election.

Long lines were reported at polling places through the day. By late afternoon, Terri Carbaugh, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State, said a turnout of 60 percent appeared likely, higher than the 50.7 percent who voted in last November’s gubernatorial election. It would be the highest percentage to vote in a gubernatorial election since 1982.

Re-elected last year with less than 50 percent of the vote, Davis fell victim to a groundswell of discontent.

As colorless as his name, Davis was also known as a canny politician with sharp elbows. Once chief of staff to Gov. Jerry Brown, he rose through the political ranks as a state assemblyman, controller and lieutenant governor, before becoming governor in 1999.

By contrast, Schwarzenegger’s political inexperience seemed a virtue to many voters.

Schwarzenegger first gained attention as an actor for his appearance in the 1977 bodybuilding documentary "Pumping Iron." Over the next decades, he starred in numerous films, including 1982’s "Conan the Barbarian," 1984’s "The Terminator," plus two sequels, and 1990’s "Total Recall" and "Kindergarten Cop."

His entry to public life began when he became involved with the Special Olympics. He soon started an after-school programs foundation now active in 15 cities and served as chairman of former President Bush’s council on physical fitness.

He first considered a run for governor last year, but opted out after deciding he could not break his contract for "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines," which was released this summer.

The actor’s improbable rise to political power played out before a rapt international audience. He announced his candidacy in August on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" after aides said it was certain he wouldn’t run.

The California recall campaign included a parade of bit players among the 135 candidates, including Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, former child actor Gary Coleman, a porn actress who wanted to tax breast implants and an artist who dressed in all blue and described his candidacy as the ultimate piece of performance art.

The cast of characters and outsized ballot gave the campaign a carnival-like atmosphere and provided late-night comics with a stream of material.

But to many Californians, it was serious business.

"I’m horrified at the thought that Schwarzenegger can be our governor," said Gretchen Purser, 25, of Berkeley, who voted against recall. "I’m sick of Republicans trying to take over the state."

Ed Troupe, 69, of Thousand Oaks, voted yes for recall and for Schwarzenegger. "As far as I’m concerned," he said, "Gray Davis is one of the dirtiest politicians I’ve ever encountered."

Though Schwarzenegger held a commanding lead over his rivals going into the final week, his campaign was shaken by allegations published in the Los Angeles Times just days before the election from six women who said he groped them or made unwanted sexual advances. Allegations continued to surface over the weekend, and by election day a total of 16 women had come forward.

Schwarzenegger also was confronted with reports that he had praised Hitler as a young man — accusations he disputed.

Responding to the sexual misconduct charges, Schwarzenegger acknowledged he had "behaved badly sometimes." But he attacked the newspaper and some of his accusers for what he called a last-minute effort to derail his candidacy.

Voters also rejected Proposition 54, a contentious initiative that would have banned state and local governments from tracking race in everything from preschools to police work. Voters across the racial spectrum rejected the measure, according to exit polling.

They also rejected another proposition dedicating money to public works projects.