Conor O'Clery
in Sacramento
Action movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger held his first press conference yesterday as governor-elect of California after a stunning victory in the state's historic recall election. "We have tough choices ahead," the former Mr Universe said in declaring victory as Republican candidate over unpopular Democratic Governor Gray Davis.
"The first choice that we must make is the one that will determine our success. Shall we rebuild our state together or shall we fight amongst ourselves, create even deeper divisions and fail the people of California? Well, let me tell you something - the answer is clear. For the people to win, politics as usual must lose."
California electors voted to by 55.1 per cent to 44.9 per cent to throw Mr Davis out of office, with 99 per cent of precincts reporting in Tuesday's election. Among the 135 replacement candidates, Mr Schwarzenegger got 48.4 per cent of the vote to Democratic Cruz Bustamante's 31.9 per cent and conservative Republican Tom McClintock's 13.3 per cent.
The voters had decided "it's time for someone else to serve, and I accept their judgment," said Mr Davis, only the second governor in US history to be recalled. "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."
US President George Bush called Mr Schwarzenegger yesterday to congratulate him, and the two may make a joint celebratory appearance in California next week. The movie star, beset with allegations of sexual misconduct in the final days of campaigning, paid warm tribute to his wife Maria Shriver for her support at campaign events. "I know how many votes I got today because of you," he said kissing her at celebrations in the early hours of yesterday morning as supporters chanted "Maria, Maria." Ms Shriver, a niece of President John F Kennedy who works as an anchor and correspondent with NBC, who now becomes first lady of California. She and Mr Schwarzenegger have four children, ages 5 to 13 and live in Los Angeles and in a lodge in Sun Valley, Idaho, to which they commute by private Gulfstream jet.
Barring a legal challenge, Mr Schwarzenegger will take office sometime before November 16th to serve out the remaining three years of Mr Davis's term. He faces a budgetary crisis in California which is projecting a $8 billion shortfall, but is expected to press the Democratic legislature to cut taxes and pass more business-friendly legislation to revive California's economy. In thanking voters, Mr Schwarzenegger declared, "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." Mr Schwarzenegger (56) survived allegations by 16 women of sexual abuse and a claim that as a young man he spoke admiringly of Hitler. He denied the Hitler claims and admitted he "behaved badly sometimes".