By John Simerman, Sandy Kleffman and Daniel Borenstein CONTRA COSTA TIMES
BURBANK - Pledging to "pump up Sacramento," Hollywood action figure Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on late-night television Wednesday that he will run for governor, sending major tremors through the race to unseat and replace Gov. Gray Davis.
Schwarzenegger, who kept his plans even from close advisers until the last moment, revealed his bid during Wednesday's taping of "The Tonight Show." He joked with host Jay Leno that it was his most difficult decision since a 1978 bikini wax.
Saying he would not be beholden to special interests -- "I have plenty of money, no one can pay me off, trust me" -- Schwarzenegger called himself an outsider and the most unique candidate in an unprecedented race likely to feature scores, perhaps hundreds, of contenders.
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So, at least for now, Schwarzenegger, a 56-year-old native of Austria, can plan for his first big political performance.
He said his top priority is to create a better California business environment, and that his first act in Sacramento would be to terminate the state's newly increased vehicle license fees.