Politics in California is a wild ride, but few moments were as surreal as October 7, 2003. One day you’re the Governor of the most populous state in the union, and the next, you’re being replaced by the Terminator. It sounds like a movie script. For Joseph Graham "Gray" Davis, it was a brutal reality.
If you weren't living in the Golden State back then, you might only remember the highlights: the red leather jackets, the "Total Recall" puns, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s massive cigar. But for those wondering what happened to Gray Davis, the story goes way beyond a celebrity takeover. It’s a tale of a "perfect storm" that literally pulled the rug out from under a career politician who had spent decades climbing the ladder.
Honestly, Gray Davis didn't just disappear after the recall. He didn't slink away into a dark room to brood. He stayed in California, he went back to law, and he actually became a mentor to the very people who succeeded him.
The Night the Lights Went Out
You can't talk about what happened to Gray Davis without talking about the energy crisis. This was the "Enron" era. Imagine coming home after a long day and having no power because some guys in a trading room in Houston were manipulating the grid.
Rolling blackouts became a way of life in 2000 and 2001. People were furious. Even though deregulation happened under his predecessor, Pete Wilson, Davis was the one holding the bag when the bills arrived. And the bills were astronomical.
The state went from a massive budget surplus to a $38 billion deficit almost overnight. It was a disaster. To try and fix it, Davis tripled the vehicle license fee—basically a car tax. If you want to lose an election in California, mess with people's cars. That was the spark.
The Recall Fever
Republicans saw an opening. Congressman Darrell Issa put up millions of his own dollars to fund the signature drive. Davis tried to dismiss it as "partisan mischief," but the momentum was unstoppable.
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The recall ballot was weird. It had two questions.
- Should Gray Davis be removed?
- If he is, who should replace him?
Davis couldn't run as his own replacement. He had to stand there and watch 135 candidates—including a porn star, a sumo wrestler, and Gary Coleman—vying for his chair. It was humiliating.
Life After the Recall: What Happened to Gray Davis?
So, where did he go when the moving trucks left the Governor's Mansion? He went back to what he knew: the law. He joined the Los Angeles office of Loeb & Loeb LLP. He’s still there today as of 2026, serving as counsel and advising on everything from public policy to infrastructure.
He didn't stay bitter, which is probably the most surprising part.
Instead of hiding, he became a "statesman." He started lecturing at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. He talks to students about the "realities" of governing. He tells them how quickly things can turn. He’s also been a regular fixture on boards and committees.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Governor Gavin Newsom actually called him up. He asked Davis to serve on the Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery. Think about that for a second. The guy who was recalled for an economic crisis was helping the current governor navigate a global shutdown.
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Still Active in 2026
If you follow California politics today, you’ll still see his name. Just last year, in 2025, he was serving as the co-chair of the Southern California Leadership Council. He shares that stage with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yeah, the guy who took his job. They’re actually friends now.
They work together on things like the Schwarzenegger Institute and bipartisan policy initiatives. It’s a very "only in California" kind of ending.
He also received the UC Presidential Medal in late 2023. It’s the highest honor the University of California can give. For a guy who was once the most unpopular man in the state, his reputation has undergone a massive "rehab" over the last two decades.
Why the Gray Davis Story Still Matters
Why are people still searching for what happened to Gray Davis? Probably because recall attempts are the new normal. Every time a governor does something controversial, someone starts a recall petition.
When Gavin Newsom faced his own recall in 2021, Davis was all over the news. He was the one giving advice, telling Newsom to "stay focused on the job" and warning other Democrats not to jump into the replacement pool. He didn't want a repeat of 2003 where his own Lieutenant Governor, Cruz Bustamante, ran as a backup and split the party's focus.
Davis’s legacy is a mix of high-achievement and bad timing.
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- He signed the nation’s first law to reduce greenhouse gases.
- He authorized stem cell research before it was "cool."
- He significantly boosted K-12 education funding.
But he’s remembered for the blackouts and the car tax. Politics is a "what have you done for me lately" business.
A Quick Timeline of the "Post-Recall" Years
- 2004: Joins Loeb & Loeb and starts lecturing at UCLA.
- 2009: Delivers the keynote at Columbia Law School (his alma mater).
- 2020: Appointed to Newsom’s Economic Task Force.
- 2022: Joins Mayor Karen Bass’s transition team in Los Angeles.
- 2026: Still active in legal and advisory roles in Southern California.
The Human Side of the Ousting
People forget that Gray Davis is a Vietnam veteran. He won a Bronze Star. He’s a guy who survived a lot before he ever got to Sacramento.
In interviews nowadays, he seems much more relaxed. The "Gray" nickname (which his mother gave him) fits a man who has settled into the elder statesman role. He doesn't have the "robotic" vibe that critics attacked him for in the late 90s.
He basically proved that there is life after a political death. You don't have to be defined by your worst Tuesday.
If you’re looking for a takeaway from the Gray Davis saga, it’s about resilience. He didn't move to another state or change his name. He stayed in the mix, kept working, and eventually, the vitriol of 2003 faded into historical curiosity.
If you want to understand the current political landscape in California, you have to look back at the 2003 recall. It changed how we think about "voter anger." It proved that a celebrity could upend the establishment. And it showed that even a recalled governor can eventually become a trusted advisor.
Next Steps for Readers:
If you want to see the "other side" of this story, look up the 2021 Gavin Newsom recall results to see how the state's political climate has shifted since the Davis era. You might also find it interesting to check the current board memberships of the Southern California Leadership Council to see how former rivals now collaborate on regional issues.