Hollywood actor turned politician Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger won control of America's richest state today when he won the governorship of California.
Mr Schwarzenegger, who never spent a day in political office and hardly ever voted, easily won the recall election that saw voters boil over in anger and throw out Democratic Governor Gray Davis less than 10 months into his second term.
Political experts said that if the recall process had allowed legislators to be thrown out, all 120 members of the California senate and assembly would be gone with Mr Davis as well.
And instead of years of experience, they voted to make as their governor a man known by film fans around the world as "The Terminator" and "Conan the Barbarian."
Beaming broadly and surrounded by the extended family of his wife Ms Maria Shriver, a niece of John F. Kennedy, Mr Schwarzenegger promised supporters to work to end the partisan squabbling that has riven the state.
"I want to be the governor for the people," he insisted. "I want to represent everybody."
"We have tough choices ahead," he told a crowd of wildly enthusiastic supporters. "Shall we rebuild our state together or shall we fight among ourselves? ... For the people to win, politics as usual must lose. I will reach out to Republicans and Democrats and independents - to those who supported the recall and those who did not."
While Mr Davis was gracious in defeat and offered Mr Schwarzenegger an orderly transition to power, many Democrats warned of problems ahead, predicting that Mr Schwarzenegger will have a hard time promoting his programs.
They also questioned his ability to govern or even understand how government works.
Democratic state Treasurer Mr Phil Angelides said he planned to hold Mr Schwarzenegger to his campaign promises. "He has been less than truthful with the people of California about what it's going to take to restore fiscal integrity and get the economy going," Mr Angelides said.
"I'm going to fight for what I think is right for rebuilding this economy. I will give no quarter in that respect."
Mr Schwarzenegger swept Mr Davis out of office in a stunning defeat as Californians vented their fury over the state's sputtering economy and the career politician leading them, a wooden campaigner who once dreamed of winning the White House.
With over 70 per cent of precincts reporting, 54.6 per cent of voters wanted Mr Davis out while 45.4 per cent wanted to keep him. Mr Schwarzenegger led his nearest rival, Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, in the replacement section of the ballot by 48 per cent to 32 per cent, with Republican Mr Tom McClintock third with around 13 per cent. Significantly, more voters chose Schwarzenegger than favored keeping Davis.