Arnold would have ran in 2006 and won the gubernatorial election. He would have been reelected in 2010.

@Mrpeople45 If what you're saying could happen, then what would happen in future California gubernatorial elections in 2014, 2018, and 2022 if Arnold was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2010? Who would be Arnold's successor?

The next Governors after Arnold would be:

Jerry Brown (2015-2019)

Gavin Newsom (2019-present)

I think Jerry Brown would serve one term because he turned 80 in 2018. I don't think he'd run again due to his age.

I don't think Arnold would have run at all if Davis had stayed in office. His successor would probably have been Jerry Brown or Cruz Bustamante. in 2004.

@Mspence In my opinion, I think Arnold would run because Davis would still be unpopular even if he survived the recall. Arnold could potentcially run again to take advantage of all of the issues during Davis' tenure as governor and defeat either Brown or Bustamante in the 2006 gubernatorial election, (And by the way, I'm the same person as JoshuaM2027, I'm using my main account and the accout I used to create this post is my alternate account.)

What we're talking about would be pretty unlikely anyway. In order for Davis to serve the rest of his second term, you'd need the recall election to be prevented somehow.