After sitting Governor [[Gray Davis]] mismanaged electric [[power deregulation]] and instituted a new registration tax by [[executive order]], infuriated citizens initiated a petition to place a measure on the ballot to remove him from office. Despite [[Democratic]] predictions that the petition would fail, it was delivered to then Secretary of State [[Kevin Shelley]] with more than the required number of signatures. In accordance with the law, Lieutenant Governor [[Cruz Bustamante]] became Acting Governor and called a special election for October 7, 2003.
The election was the first of its kind in United States history. Approximately 180 citizens, from all walks of life, declared candidacy. Schwarzenegger was rumored to be considering a run for office, which was confirmed on an appearance on the NBC TV [[Tonight Show]]. Schwarzenegger easily defeated Cruz Bustamante in the election. After the election was over, Schwarzenegger was sworn in on November 17, 2003, to serve the remainder of Davis' term. After going through a period of sagging in the polls, Schwarzenegger did a strong turn around and was then reelected by a landslide on November 7, 2006, in California's 2006 gubernatorial election to serve a full term as governor by defeating Democrat [[Phil Angelides]], who was at that time the California State Treasurer.
==Political views==