Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2003 News

Austrian-born movie star and body builder, was elected governor of California in October. Voters approved the recall of Gray Davis and overwhelmingly elected Schwarzenegger over the 134 other candidates. Californians, frustrated with their state's tattered economy and Davis's inability to mend it, put their faith in the action hero who vowed to terminate the whopping $3 billion budget deficit. Last-minute sexual harrassment charges against the actor did not deter voters.