California certifies recall vote
Schwarzenegger inauguration Monday
 |
Arnold Schwarzenegger was officially certified as the next governor of California Friday.
Story Tools
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
|
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.
Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.
|
|
(CNN) -- Arnold Schwarzenegger's election as California's governor in last month's recall became official Friday, with state certification of the results in Sacramento. The former body builder and action movie hero takes the oath of office Monday.
"I know it will come as no surprise to any of you that the recall is certified as successful and that Arnold Schwarzenegger is now officially certified as our next governor," said Secretary of State Kevin Shelley.
The certified vote totals are:
On the question of whether to recall Democratic Gov. Gray Davis, 4,972,524 voted in favor, 4,006,021 were opposed.
In the balloting to replace Davis, Schwarzenegger received 4,206,217 votes, or 48.6 percent. His next challenger, Democratic Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamanate, received 2,724,852 votes, or 31.5 percent.
Schwarzenegger takes the oath of office during a ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento at 11 a.m. (2 p.m. ET) Monday.
Davis, interviewed on CNN's Inside Politics, said he would attend the inaugural, as is customary in California.
Then the career politician and the first U.S. governor to face a recall election in more than 80 years said he will enter the private sector.
"I'll shake his hand, wish him well, get on a plane and get out of Dodge," Davis said.
Davis said he has not ruled out a return to politics at some point, but asked if he would run for governor again, he said, "That thought hasn't crossed my mind."
The inaugural -- paid for with private donations -- will take place afterward on the west steps of the Capitol building.
"Governor-elect Schwarzenegger made it very clear to us that he wanted a swearing-in ceremony that is appropriate, given California's budget crisis," said Marty Wilson, executive director of the Schwarzenegger's swearing-in committee, which was set up to plan and fund the event.
"The celebration will be simple and dignified," Wilson said in a statement.
The swearing-in will be a ticketed event with 7,500 invitations being mailed to campaign supporters, legislators, the California congressional delegation and other dignitaries, the committee said.
Angry over a flagging economy and disenchanted with Davis, Californians cut short his second term by recalling him less than a year into his second term. Schwarzenegger was chosen October 7 from a field of 135 candidates.
Under state law, the transfer of power can take place within 10 days of the certification of the results of the recall election.
