New Majority backs Arnold

Paul Clinton

Members of a moderate wing of the Republican Party based locally have

thrown their growing political clout behind the Running Man.

Citing its two-year political relationship with actor and

gubernatorial hopeful Arnold Schwarzenegger, the New Majority decided

Wednesday to support the candidate with the most star power.

The coalition of fiscally minded business leaders, who founded

their group in 1999 to abolish “social litmus test” issues for

Republican candidates, also said they are philosophically aligned

with the former Mr. Universe.

“Arnold has the best chance to win,” said chairman Larry Higby,

who lives in Newport Beach. “He also lines up with our views on

broadening the Republican Party. He’s basically in line with our

philosophy.”

During a conference call the day Schwarzenegger announced he would

run, the actor called the group at Newport Beach’s Pacific Club to

ask if he could count on their support.

They announced they would back him after a fierce debate about

whether to throw their lot in with Peter Ueberroth.

“This was a very tough decision for us because of Peter

Ueberroth,” Higby said. “He’s known by the New Majority.”

The group’s flirtation with Schwarzenegger began in 2001, when New

Majority board member Paul Folino, chief executive officer of Costa

Mesa-based Emulex Corp., headed to the actor’s Pacific Palisades home

for dinner.

The two found common ground in support for Proposition 49 as well

as for a film and television studio a Chapman University.

Schwarzenegger has visited Orange County to speak at events

organized by the group.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.