Blog Assignment #25: Sarah Palin

Sarah Louise Heath on February 11, 1964, in Sandpoint, Idaho. At the age of three months, she moved to Alaska when her parents took a teaching job in Skagway, Alaska. Sarah Palin's father, Charles, was a science teacher and track coach and her mother, Sally, was a school secretary. Sarah grew up in the small town of Wasilla. She played in Wasilla High School's state champion girls' basketball team, picking up the nickname "Sarah Barracuda" for her intense playing style.

After graduating from Wasilla High, Sarah wore the crown of Miss Wasilla, and was the runner-up in the Miss Alaska contest. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho. She also became a television sports reporter in Anchorage. Sarah Heath eloped with her high school sweetheart, Todd Palin and helped run his family's commercial fishing business. 

Palin entered politics, winning a seat on the Wasilla City Council by opposing tax hikes. Four years later, she was elected mayor of Wasilla. As mayor, Palin cut property taxes and reduced spending. She also raised the city sales tax by a half a percent to build a popular sports complex and put more money into public safety. She collected $26.9 million in such funding, according the independent watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, including $15 million for a commuter rail project. 

In 2006, Palin won the Republican primary for Governor, defeating Murkowski. She went on to win the general election by defeating former Democratic Governor Tony Knowles in the general election, 49 percent to 41 percent. While running for governor, Palin supported the so-called "bridge to nowhere," which later was criticized as too expensive to build a bridge to a remote Alaskan community. Palin said the bridge was essential for local prosperity. But once she became governor, she turned against it, citing rising costs and other priorities.

Sarah Palin was the first woman Alaskan governor, and participated in John McCain's candidacy in the 2008 presidential election. She was also the first woman Vice Presidential nomination on the Republican ticket. McCain's choice was sudden and surprising, as Palin had been an unknown figure. She had met McCain once, at a National Governors Association meeting, and talked briefly with him over phone calls. McCain came to Alaska and asked Palin to be his running mate.