Arnold’s O.C. headquarters open
Deirdre Newman
As soon as the phones were installed, they started ringing off the
hook.
Supporters of Arnold Schwarzenegger couldn’t wait to call his new
office in Costa Mesa to volunteer, said Bill Christiansen, the
group’s “get out the vote” coordinator.
The office, at 2025 Newport Blvd., opened Wednesday, just in time
for 150 ardent Arnold aficionados to watch the only recall debate he
has participated in so far. Schwarzenegger is one of 135 candidates
vying to replace Gov. Gray Davis if Davis is recalled from office on
Oct. 7.
Assemblyman John Campbell, who will be using the office in a few
weeks to launch his state Senate campaign, donated it to the
Schwarzenegger campaign for the next week-and-a-half, said David
Padilla, another “get out the vote” coordinator.
Christiansen said it’s the only office in Orange County solely
dedicated to Schwarzenegger, as far as he knows.
“But most importantly, it’s to get out the Republican vote and
coordinate with other Republican efforts in the county and make sure
we have a huge election day turnout in Orange County,” Christiansen
said.
Local groups that are supporting Schwarzenegger include the
Lincoln Club, a Republican group of business owners and financial
donors; the moderate New Majority; California Women Leadership Assn.;
and Hispanic 100, the a group of top Latino business owners in the
state.
Padilla is one of the co-founders of Hispanic 100.
Padilla said Schwarzenegger is the best candidate for the Latino
community because of his views on business, education and
immigration.
“Hispanics tend to be small business owners, and this
administration, with [Lt. Gov.] Cruz Bustamante, has been onerous on
small business owners,” Padilla said.
Two thousand people had signed up to volunteer on Schwarzenegger’s
Orange County Web site a week and a half ago, and that number is only
expected to increase as the election draws closer, Padilla said.
Christiansen said he is encouraged by the new faces he has seen
among the eager volunteers, including at least one Democrat.
* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)
574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.
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