Schwarzenegger Star Power Fades for GOP in State Races

[Rose Siding]

SACRAMENTO — Republican hopes that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's popularity would help the party win more seats in the Legislature have faded in the final days before Tuesday's election as Democrats enjoyed a boost from the presidential campaign.

Just weeks ago, Republican officials spoke optimistically about the potential impact of hearty campaigns by Schwarzenegger in behalf of Assembly and Senate candidates. Now, however, even some sources close to the governor concede that the outlook has darkened for Republican candidates and that Democrats could gain a seat.

The Democrats already hold sizable majorities in the legislative chambers: 48 to 32 in the Assembly and 25 to 14 in the Senate, which has one vacancy after Republican William J. "Pete" Knight's death in May.

Poll results for GOP candidates began dropping after the last presidential debate, said Assembly Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield. It's an indication that President Bush's unpopularity with California voters might be weighing down his party's chances further down the ballot.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-legis1nov01,0,5962693.story?coll=la-home-headlines