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 [email protected].