With some 135 candidates approved for a ballot that could recall and replace current Gov. Gray Davis, this state's credit unions are trying to sort through the list to decide where to provide any support-if any is provided.
The California league and CCUL President Dave Chatfield have had a long-standing relationship with Gov. Davis.
Bob Arnould, the vice president of state government affairs for the California league, said it is attempting to evaluate the possible effect the many non-traditional entries in the recall race might have on credit unions if elected.
Two candidates-California State Sen. Tom McClintock and Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante-have a history of supporting credit unions, Arnould noted. But he cautioned, "Most other candidates don't have a track record we can identify. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example, is an unknown."
According to Arnould, McClintock has served in California's banking committee and has consistently supported the tax status of credit unions.
Bustamante was a "good supporter" of CUs when he was speaker of the state's House, and "has had a good relationship with the California league while he has been lieutenant governor."
The list of possible replacements for Gov. Gray Davis has expanded wildly with a flurry of last-minute entries. A breathtaking total of more than 200 people filed candidacy papers with the Secretary of State's office by the Aug. 9 deadline, 135 of whom were approved.
A special recall election will be held Oct. 7. Californians will be asked to answer "yes" or "no" on the question of whether Davis should remain as governor. Regardless of their selection on part one, voters then would be allowed to choose a possible replacement from a list that includes actors, models and an adult magazine publisher.
If Davis is removed from office-and early polls show support for his recall-then the replacement candidate who receives the most votes would become the new governor and would serve the remaining three years of Davis' term.
Schwarzenegger, star of the popular "Terminator" trilogy and numerous other action movies, has captured most of the national headlines since he announced his intent to run on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" Aug. 6.
Other well-known names in the race include child actor Gary Coleman, who portrayed Arnold Drummond on the situation comedy "Diff'rent Strokes," Larry Flynt, publisher of "Hustler" magazine, Angelyne, an actress and billboard model, Mary Cook, an adult film star known by her stage name, "Mary Carey," and Peter Ueberroth, who was president of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.
