Washington: After weeks of indecisiveness, 'Terminator' star Arnold Schwarzenegger has finally taken the plunge into politics and thrown his hat into the fray for the recall vote of California Governor Gray Davis.

"It is my duty to jump into the race and to bring hope to the people in California," the 56-year-old Austria- born actor said announcing his decision on Jay Leno's 'Tonight Show'.

Democrat Gray, who was under pressure for mismanaging the economy of one of the US' richest state, which declared a record $ 38 billion deficit Budget this year, will have to face the so-called 'recall vote' on October 7.

For Schwarzenegger, a former Mr Universe and moderate Republican, this will be his first serious jaunt into politics. Last year, he successfully championed a state ballot initiative aimed at dedicating as much as $ 550 million annually to before-and after-school programs.

However, he did not think his inexperience would be a drawback. "I speak directly to the people, and I know that the people of California want to have better leadership," he told reporters after announcing his candidacy on August 6.

Schwarzenegger will attempt to follow in the footsteps of another movie star Ronald Reagan, who also became California governor before finally winning the US Presidential polls.

There was great speculation whether Schwarzenegger would finally step into the ring, especially as his wife of 17 years, Maria Shriver, a niece of former US president John F Kennedy and a Democrat, was not very enthusiastic about the idea. But Schwarzenegger said she finally came around to supporting him.

PTI