UI grad leading Alaska governor race

spokesmanreview.com ^ | November 4, 2006 | Shawn Vestal

[Jet Jaguar]

If Sandpoint native Sarah Heath Palin becomes Alaska's next governor, she'll have earned several distinctions.

She'd be the first woman to serve in that office. And she would have gotten there after blowing the whistle on her own party's top officials for ethics violations – an act that left her on the outs with party operatives but gave her a strong image as a populist reformer.

She could also become the first University of Idaho graduate to serve as governor anywhere but Idaho. UI officials couldn't find a record last week of any other Vandal governor serving outside the Gem State.

The 42-year-old Palin's connections to North Idaho are a couple of decades old, but they're unmistakable. She was born in Sandpoint and spent her first three months of life there before her parents moved to Alaska. She attended North Idaho College and then the University of Idaho, graduating in 1987 with a degree in journalism.

Advertisement Now she's the unlikely leader in the polls against her Democratic opponent, former Gov. Tony Knowles, heading into the final days of the election – though Knowles has been steadily drawing closer. Efforts to reach her for an interview late last week and early this week were unsuccessful, because she was busy with the election, a campaign official said.

[goldstategop]

Good news for Alaska! The GOP will retain the Governorship of the 49th.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[BroncosFan]

And she's remarkably cute, too. I must give credit to the Dems, though, as they've recruited several true hotties. Palin's about it on the GOP side.

Thus ends the sexist rant.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I remember when she was up for the Murkowski Senate seat before Lisa was named to it. She was viewed as a formidable politician back then.

[goldstategop]

Yeah... and made it in the face of a hostile party establishment.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[fatboynic]

[reg45]

Wow!!! She is now my first choice for President in 2008.

[CIBvet]

Went to a Palin/Parnell -- 'New Energy For Alaska' Rally Mon eve at their Mid-Town Hqts. It was advertised as a "Bring the Family for Alaskan King Crab & Live Music"

Tons of fun and good people. She has a beautiful family and is a radiant, 'Stand-up' kinda real Alaskan Woman.

Here's her remarkable story: click on Palin profile

[Jet Jaguar]

"Sarah and Todd eloped in 1988, slipping away to the Palmer Courthouse where, learning they needed witnesses, they enlisted two from the pioneers' home across the street, one in a wheelchair and one with a walker. They eloped because they were poor at the time and didn't want their parents to foot the bill for a wedding, she says today."

Thanks for the link!

[CIBvet]

Just got back from sign-waving at Northern Lights & Seward Hwy. Outnumbered Knowles/'Spenda-witz' sign-wavers about 30 to 8 as I arrived.

LOTS & LOTS of horn-honkers and thumbs up for Sarah, and virtually none for the other side ... plus we had TONS of enthusiasm and smiles to their sour faces.

And I'm impressed with the diversity of the responders today. Apparently ol Socialist-Tony has lost hold on many State/Fed/Muni workers.