Date: 7th August 2003

Arnie to run for California governor


Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced he will run as a Republican candidate for governor of California.

Schwarzenegger, best known for his role in the Terminator films, revealed his intention during a taping of the US television programme The Tonight Show.

His announcement came despite widespread rumours that he would not run because of concerns expressed by his wife.

"The politicians are fiddling, fumbling and failing," he said.

"This is why I am going to run for governor."

Current California Governor, Democrat Gray Davis, is facing an unprecedented recall election in October because of his perceived failure to handle the state's spiralling budget deficit.

Dozens of hopeful candidates are lining up to run in the election, however on Wednesday Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein ruled out running for the post, condemning the race as "becoming more and more like a carnival every day".

The news comes shortly after television host Jerry Springer announced that he would not run for senator of Ohio.

Mr Springer, a mayor of Cincinnati before he began his TV career, said it had been "a tough decision", but said he could not separate the job from his television show, although he did not rule out trying again in the future.

Source: Press Release