- Schwarzenegger advised The New York Occasions Journal there’s nonetheless a “residence” for him in right this moment’s GOP.
- However he was crucial of the California Republican Occasion, which he stated wasn’t listening to residents.
- “While you’re within the Legislature, you are not alleged to symbolize solely your district,” he stated.
In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger did one thing that appears practically not possible as of late: He was elected governor of California as a Republican.
Schwarzenegger, who had been a global movie star for years when he first ran for workplace, ousted then-Democratic Gov. Grey Davis in a shocking recall election end result that dramatically reshaped politics within the Golden State.
Nonetheless, Schwarzenegger’s candidacy got here with a serious caveat. Although he was a Republican, his extra centrist views on points like abortion and the atmosphere had been anathema to the inflexible ideology of many conservatives.
Schwarzenegger prevailed, and he was simply reelected in 2006, broadening his coalition even additional.
Whereas the Republican Occasion of right this moment, each nationally and in California, has turn out to be rather more conservative over the previous twenty years, the previous governor hasn’t gone wherever.
In a latest interview, Schwarzenegger, who left workplace in 2011, advised The New York Occasions Journal that he nonetheless seems like there’s a “residence” for him within the GOP.
However he was a lot much less charitable in regards to the California Republican Occasion, which has struggled to elect any statewide candidates lately. Aside from the 2006 victories of Schwarzenegger and Steve Poizner for insurance coverage commissioner, no different Republican has since gained statewide.
“Within the state of California, the Republican Occasion has carried out a horrible job to symbolize the individuals,” the previous governor advised the journal. “While you’re within the Legislature, you are not alleged to symbolize solely your district; you are additionally alleged to symbolize the state and transfer the state ahead and work with everybody in an effort to make life higher.”
“So after they know {that a} majority of Californians wish to have a cleaner atmosphere, wish to have renewable vitality — for them to go the opposite method, it isn’t serving the individuals,” he continued. “Do a ballot, and you will see out {that a} majority of individuals in California wish to have a clear atmosphere. They wish to eliminate fossil fuels. Then that is what you do.”
