General Discussion

Experience needed to run a large state can be gained in real time. Schwartzenegger kept some Davis staff and I ended up not hating him. I'm not saying I'd vote for Swalwell, I don't know enough yet.

AI Overview
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger notably kept some of Governor Gray Davis's staff members, most prominently appointing Susan Kennedy as his Chief of Staff in 2005.

Kennedy had served as Cabinet Secretary and deputy chief of staff under Davis, a Democrat whom Schwarzenegger ousted in the 2003 recall election. This hiring of a high-profile Democrat from the previous administration was seen as a move by Schwarzenegger to appeal to the state's broad political center and angered some conservative Republicans.

Additionally, during his second term, it was noted that Schwarzenegger had previously hired two senior health care advisers from the ranks of the Davis administration, further demonstrating a willingness to utilize staff from his predecessor's team.

This staffing approach was part of Schwarzenegger's effort to promote a bipartisan image and focus on policy goals that required cross-party cooperation, such as healthcare access and infrastructure projects.