STAR POWER REAPS CASH ARNOLD HELPS GOP ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

Byline: David M. Drucker Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - In the world of high-stakes politics where money equals votes, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is poised to wield unparalleled influence over state legislative races even though his name isn't on the ballot.

Since taking office Nov. 17, the Republican governor's widespread popularity and prolific fund raising have made him a player nationally and re-energized his party in California. Despite the GOP's minority status, he helped it surpass the state Democratic Party in contributions by $6.6 million since January 2003.

His fund-raising prowess includes $600,000 raised in one outing Sept. 8 for the Kern County Republican Party and a record $2.5 million raised for the state GOP in one evening in Los Angeles earlier this year.

``You have to look at Schwarzenegger's ability to help people as very impressive. How? Raising money,'' said Democratic political consultant Joe Cerrell of Los Angeles.

``All things being equal, Arnold not only levels the playing field, he just might tip it.''

The governor could help Republicans capture as many as nine legislative seats in traditionally Democratic areas of the state on Nov. 2, possibly increasing his party's power in a Legislature that Democrats control with healthy margins of 48-32 in the Assembly and 25-15 in the state Senate, analysts say.

Since winning the historic recall election last October, the actor- turned-politician has worked to increase the number of Republicans in the Legislature, while supporting those already in office. He has raised about $2.2 million for individual Republicans, including $300,000 for the re-election of Sen. Tom McClintock of Thousand Oaks, his chief GOP rival in the recall.

Schwarzenegger's 65 percent approval rating among Californians, including 57 percent among Democrats, has not deterred Democratic legislators from obstructing his agenda. The governor's answer: Elect more Republicans to office to soften resistance to his policies - policies he maintains voters of all political persuasions elected him to pursue.

``The special-interest grip on the Legislature that stifles job growth and economic development needs to be changed,'' Schwarzenegger spokesman Rob Stutzman said. ``The governor is involved, and will continue to be involved, in campaign activities that will help further that goal.''

Democrats, whose state party still has $5 million more cash in the bank than the state GOP, contend that Schwarzenegger is less interested in progress than in a power grab that can only be achieved by weakening his opponents.

They question his fund-raising activities, noting former Gov. Gray Davis - whose recall they blame mostly on Schwarzenegger - was pilloried for ``excessive'' fund raising that has been dwarfed by Schwarzenegger's activities.

Gale Kaufman, chief political strategist for Assembly Democrats, said her polling indicates that voters in Democratic districts like Schwarzenegger personally but disagree with his policies, including his veto of a higher minimum wage and his expected vetoes of bills that would lower prescription drug costs and guard against the ``outsourcing'' of jobs overseas.

Kaufman isn't convinced that Schwarzenegger will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming elections.

``The popularity of the governor is primarily based on him selling himself to voters as nonpartisan, or bipartisan. The more he wraps his arms around Republican candidates and says they're just like him, the less real that is for voters. So he runs a huge risk.''

Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Montclair, carried four bills for the administration this year, but that hasn't stopped Republicans from ranking the two-term incumbent high on their list of termination targets. Schwarzenegger campaigned for his spending plan in Negrete McLeod's district during this past summer's budget impasse.

If he campaigns in October for her opponent, Ontario City Councilman Alan Wapner, after the bill-signing period ends, Negrete McLeod plans to combat the governor's popularity and powers of persuasion by focusing on her record of cooperating with him.

``Part of our story that we will be sharing with our constituents is that we've worked in a cooperative, bipartisan nature with the administration to help them with their legislative agenda,'' said Don Wilcox, Negrete McLeod's chief of staff.

Matt Rexroad, chief strategist for the Assembly Republican election effort, is optimistic his party can win seven legislative seats now held by Democrats, even in districts where the greatest number of voters are Democrats.

Topping his list of targets are Negrete McLeod, Assemblywoman Nicole Parra, D-Bakersfield, and an open Assembly seat in Long Beach being sought by state Sen. Betty Karnette, D-Long Beach, and former GOP Rep. Steve Kuykendall.

Also, Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman, R-Tustin, has his sights set on dumping incumbent Sen. Michael J. Machado, D-Stockton, and winning an open San Diego seat where the Democratic candidate is Assemblywoman Christine Kehoe.

Kehoe's Republican opponent, Larry Stirling, will likely get a boost from Schwarzenegger in October, when the governor is expected to campaign and raise money for him.

``The reason we're so hopeful this year is because of him,'' Rexroad said. ``We're the party of Arnold Schwarzenegger.''

A prominent Republican adviser said the party's actual goals are more modest, and that the GOP realistically hopes to gain two to four Assembly seats and Machado's Senate seat.

The Central Valley Democrat is being challenged by Stockton Mayor Gary Podesto, who has already benefited from a Schwarzenegger fund-raiser that garnered his campaign $360,000.

Of the four Assembly seats, the party definitely will help fund the opponents facing Parra and Negrete McLeod - Bakersfield businessman Dean Gardner and Wapner.

It is not yet clear which candidates Schwarzenegger will campaign for directly, but he is expected to record automated phone calls and travel to Fresno to stump for Assembly candidate Paul Betancourt, the GOP adviser said.

A GOP campaign manager expects the governor will pump up the Election Day turnout for Republican candidates.

``If voters hear him the last 10 days asking them to get out and vote, I think it will make a difference,'' said Dave Gilliard, who is directing the Wapner campaign. ``(Former Gov.) Pete Wilson didn't have the star quality that can attract a higher turnout.''

David M. Drucker, [phone]

david.drucker(at)dailybulletin.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

(2 -- color) POLITICAL MUSCLE

Republican candidates are running in at least nine Democratic districts where Gov. Schwarzenegger's backing could make a difference this year, according to campaign strategists.

Box/Map:

POLITICAL MUSCLE

SOURCE: Daily News research

Gregg Miller/Staff Artist