California Dreamin' Politically minded jocks have jumped into the race to replace California governor Gray Davis. A fan's guide to the Oct. 7 recall

CANDIDATE

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
PARTY: Republican
AGE: 56
SPORT: Bodybuilding

CREDENTIALS

Flexed his 22-inch biceps to seven Mr. Olympia titles and five
Mr. Universe crowns. Married to a Kennedy.

PLATFORM

Terminator star wants to say hasta la vista to Davis and has
relied on screenplayish soundbites when pressed on issues.
Leading Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante in polls, he likens campaigning
to body sculpting and says, "I will pump up Sacramento."

[CANDIDATE]

JERRY KUNZMAN
PARTY: Independent
AGE: 39
SPORT: CEO of National Auto Sport Association

[CREDENTIALS]

His 12-year-old company puts on races in which amateurs drive; 15
regional chapters and 10,000 members.

[PLATFORM]

Kunzman loves racing's car-as-billboard mentality: He'd fill
California's coffers by selling ad space on state vehicles and
hawking naming rights to highways, parks and schools. "I work for
a living," Kunzman says, "and I would like to work for the people
of California."

[CANDIDATE]

PAUL (CHIP) MAILANDER
PARTY: Democrat
AGE: 37
SPORT: Golf pro

[CREDENTIALS]

Gives lessons and runs shop at Farms Golf Club outside San Diego.
Spent eight years in the Navy.

[PLATFORM]

The club's well-heeled members ($115,000 initiation fee)
encouraged Mailander to run and helped pay the $3,500 he needed
to get on the ballot. He would address the state's $38 billion
deficit. "I'd have to look at the fiscal crisis," he says, "then
chip away at it, as they say in golf."

[CANDIDATE]

PAUL NAVE
PARTY: Democrat
AGE: 42
SPORT: Boxing

[CREDENTIALS]

Journeyman (16-6-2) beat Greg Haugen to win WBF welterweight
title in '98; ran unsuccessfully for assembly in 2000.

[PLATFORM]

Wants to focus on education and the deficit, but the "Marin
County Assassin" did three years in San Quentin for dealing
cocaine. "I know I'm a long shot for the governorship," says
Nave, now a securities investor. "But I've been a long shot
before--and won."

[CANDIDATE]

KURT (TACHIKAZE) RIGHTMYER
PARTY: Independent
AGE: 39
SPORT: Sumo Wrestling

[CREDENTIALS]

Middleweight points leader in California Sumo Series. Published
poet nominated for Pushcart Prize in '01.

[PLATFORM]

Substitute teacher Tachikaze (which means "wind from a sword
stroke") pledges to wrestle the "800-pound gorilla of big
government from every angle." Promises he could beat Arnold
Schwarzenegger two out of three in the sumo ring.

[CANDIDATE]

NATHAN WHITECLOUD WALTON
PARTY: Independent
AGE: 25
SPORT: Hoops royalty; ex-Princeton forward

[CREDENTIALS]

Son of NBA great Bill; brother of Lakers second-round pick Luke;
played pro ball in France. MBA student at Stanford.

[PLATFORM]

Son of a Deadhead wants to limit cost of state schools, protect
environment and improve mass transit. Says he's "10 times
smarter" than Schwarzenegger. "Nathan is trying to represent the
conquest of substance over hype," says his Hall of Fame dad.

--Pete McEntegart

B/W PHOTO: MICHAEL MONTFORT/SHOOTING STAR

COLOR PHOTO: COURTESY JERRY KUNZMAN

COLOR PHOTO: COURTESY PAUL MAILANDER

B/W PHOTO: CHARLES SCHUMAN

COLOR PHOTO: TRENT SABO

COLOR PHOTO: STEPHAN SAVOIA/AP