20 years ago, Schwarzenegger became California governor. See campaign, inauguration photos

Nathaniel Levine
6
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Twenty years ago today, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the 38th governor of California.

The last Republican to serve in the role won the position in a wild recall election that ended the governorship of Gray Davis.

Schwarzenegger is reflecting on his tenure today at a Sacramento Press Club event.

Here’s a look back at his campaign and inauguration, as covered by The Bee’s photojournalists:

Schwarzenegger campaign starts

Arnold Schwarzenegger holds up the papers he picked up at the Los Angeles County Registrars Office in Norwalk on Aug. 7, 2003, saying that his is going to clean house in Sacramento.
Arnold Schwarzenegger holds up the papers he picked up at the Los Angeles County Registrars Office in Norwalk on Aug. 7, 2003, saying that his is going to clean house in Sacramento.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is swarmed by the media during the opening ceremonies of the Inner-City games on Friday, August 8, 2003, a day after he took out papers to run for California governor in the recall election.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is swarmed by the media during the opening ceremonies of the Inner-City games on Friday, August 8, 2003, a day after he took out papers to run for California governor in the recall election.
Actor and California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger greets supporters on his way to a voter registration drive outside the main gate of the California State Fair on Sept. 1, 2003.
Actor and California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger greets supporters on his way to a voter registration drive outside the main gate of the California State Fair on Sept. 1, 2003.
Actor and California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger greets fans and supporters at the California State Fair on Sept. 1, 2003.
Actor and California gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger greets fans and supporters at the California State Fair on Sept. 1, 2003.
Gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger greets supporters during a campaign rally outside of the Republican state convention in Los Angeles on Sept. 13, 2003.
Gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger greets supporters during a campaign rally outside of the Republican state convention in Los Angeles on Sept. 13, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial recall candidates Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Sen. Tom McClintock talk before the start of a 90-minute televised debate sponsored by the California Broadcasters Association at the University Union at Sacramento State on Sept. 24, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial recall candidates Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Sen. Tom McClintock talk before the start of a 90-minute televised debate sponsored by the California Broadcasters Association at the University Union at Sacramento State on Sept. 24, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger pretends to play the guitar after a member of the band Twisted Sister handed him the instrument during a rally at the state Capitol on Oct. 5, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger pretends to play the guitar after a member of the band Twisted Sister handed him the instrument during a rally at the state Capitol on Oct. 5, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger mingles with the crowd after speaking at a rally at the state Capitol on Oct. 5, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger mingles with the crowd after speaking at a rally at the state Capitol on Oct. 5, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger waves to cheering supporters after a speaking at a rally at the Capitol on Oct. 5, 2003.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger waves to cheering supporters after a speaking at a rally at the Capitol on Oct. 5, 2003.

Election victory night and after

Arnold Schwarzenegger is joined by his wife Maria Shriver in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, 2003, as he celebrates his victory in the California gubernatorial recall election.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is joined by his wife Maria Shriver in Los Angeles on Oct. 7, 2003, as he celebrates his victory in the California gubernatorial recall election.
President George W. Bush waves to the crowd with Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger following Bush’s speech about terrorism, Iraq and the economy at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in San Bernardino on Oct. 16, 2003.
President George W. Bush waves to the crowd with Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger following Bush’s speech about terrorism, Iraq and the economy at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in San Bernardino on Oct. 16, 2003.
President George W. Bush gets a laugh from Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger during his speech about terrorism, Iraq and the economy at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in San Bernardino on Oct. 16, 2003.
President George W. Bush gets a laugh from Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger during his speech about terrorism, Iraq and the economy at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in San Bernardino on Oct. 16, 2003.

The inauguration

Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver arrive at the inaugural ceremony at the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003, with their children Christopher, left, Patrick, center, Katherine and Christina, right.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver arrive at the inaugural ceremony at the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003, with their children Christopher, left, Patrick, center, Katherine and Christina, right.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger smiles before he signs an executive order to repeal the car tax minutes after taking the oath of office as California’s 38th governor on the steps of the state Capitol on Monday, Nov. 17, 2003.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger smiles before he signs an executive order to repeal the car tax minutes after taking the oath of office as California’s 38th governor on the steps of the state Capitol on Monday, Nov. 17, 2003.
Arnold Schwarzenegger raises his hand as he takes the oath of office on Nov. 17, 2003, with California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George as Maria Shriver holds a Kennedy family bible.
Arnold Schwarzenegger raises his hand as he takes the oath of office on Nov. 17, 2003, with California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George as Maria Shriver holds a Kennedy family bible.
Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks after taking the oath of office for governor of California on the steps of the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003. Former Gov. Gray Davis and his wife Sharon look on at right.
Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks after taking the oath of office for governor of California on the steps of the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003. Former Gov. Gray Davis and his wife Sharon look on at right.
An enormous contingent of journalists covers Arnold Schwarzenegger taking the oath of office as California’s 38th governor at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Nov. 17, 2003.
An enormous contingent of journalists covers Arnold Schwarzenegger taking the oath of office as California’s 38th governor at the state Capitol in Sacramento on Nov. 17, 2003.
Guests watch the swearing in of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003.
Guests watch the swearing in of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003.

Celebrity appearances: Lowe, Hamilton, DeVito, Curtis

Actors Danny DeVito and wife Rhea Perlman leave the Sutter Club after attending a luncheon given for Arnold Schwarzenegger after he was sworn in as the 38th governor of California on Nov. 17, 2003 in Sacramento. DeVito starred with Schwarzenegger in “Twins.”
Actors Danny DeVito and wife Rhea Perlman leave the Sutter Club after attending a luncheon given for Arnold Schwarzenegger after he was sworn in as the 38th governor of California on Nov. 17, 2003 in Sacramento. DeVito starred with Schwarzenegger in “Twins.”
Film star Jamie Lee Curtis jokes around before the swearing in ceremony of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the steps of the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003. Curtis starred with Schwarzenegger in “True Lies.”
Film star Jamie Lee Curtis jokes around before the swearing in ceremony of Arnold Schwarzenegger on the steps of the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003. Curtis starred with Schwarzenegger in “True Lies.”
Actor Rob Lowe sits with a friend prior to the swearing-in of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the west steps of the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003.
Actor Rob Lowe sits with a friend prior to the swearing-in of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the west steps of the state Capitol on Nov. 17, 2003.
Actress Linda Hamilton signs autographs in front of the Sutter Club after luncheon in honor of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Nov. 17, 2003 after his inauguration. Hamilton starred with Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator” and its sequel.
Actress Linda Hamilton signs autographs in front of the Sutter Club after luncheon in honor of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Nov. 17, 2003 after his inauguration. Hamilton starred with Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator” and its sequel.