California voters recalled Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and elected Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger as the state's new governor yesterday, according to exit polls conducted by CNN.
Schwarzenegger -- who in recent days was accused of groping more than 15 women and admiring Adolf Hitler -- had garnered 51 percent of the reported vote early this morning. Democratic candidate Cruz Bustamante collected 31 percent of votes.
The tumultuous recall process first asked Californians to decide whether to keep Davis, who was re-elected governor less than a year ago. The ballot then gave voters a choice between 135 candidates to replace Davis. The slate included Hustler publisher Larry Flynt, actor Gary Coleman and adult film actress Mary "Mary Carey" Cook.
Dartmouth students' response to the news was mixed, with undergraduates from California expressing frustration, hope and satisfaction with yesterday's outcome.
"It's awesome. Go Republicans," Eugene Kim '03 said.
Kim, a native of Palos Verdes Estates, Ca., theorized that the state's troubled finances provided some of the impetus for Davis' recall.
"I think a lot of people in California need a change," Kim said.
Karsten Barde '04, an undergraduate from Porterville, Ca., expressed disappointment with the results.
"I was originally hopeful about Bustamante," Barde said, "in part because I'd like to see someone representing the state's largest minority group at this point, which is Latino."
John Char '06, from Claremont, Ca., said he had opposed Schwarzenegger, but expressed optimism regarding the newly-elected governor.
"Early in his career, he set out to be the world's greatest bodybuilder and he achieved that. Then, he set out to be the world's greatest action superstar, and he achieved that," Char said. "I'm hoping he'll have the same success with our state."
Regardless of their varying opinions, all of the undergraduates contacted by The Dartmouth said they had not voted in the election. Some students said they currently vote in New Hampshire instead of California.
