POLITICS

Sarah Palin: The former Alaska governor's political career in pictures

USA TODAY-Unknown
This October 1996 photo shows Palin in her office when she was serving as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
This October 1996 photo shows Palin in her office when she was serving as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska.
AP
Palin passes out hand warmers to a supporter who braved the cold to wave campaign signs in Anchorage, Alaska, on Nov. 4. 2006, during her gubernatorial campaign.
Palin passes out hand warmers to a supporter who braved the cold to wave campaign signs in Anchorage, Alaska, on Nov. 4. 2006, during her gubernatorial campaign.
Al Grillo, AP
Palin is sworn in as governor of Alaska as her husband, Todd Palin, holds the Bible during an inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 4, 2006.
Palin is sworn in as governor of Alaska as her husband, Todd Palin, holds the Bible during an inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 4, 2006.
Al Grillo, AP
McCain stands with Palin at a campaign rally on Aug. 29, 2008, in Dayton, Ohio, after she was announced as his running mate.
McCain stands with Palin at a campaign rally on Aug. 29, 2008, in Dayton, Ohio, after she was announced as his running mate.
Mario Tama, Getty Images
Palin addresses the delegates at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 3, 2008.
Palin addresses the delegates at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 3, 2008.
Robert Deutsch, USAT
Palin greets Joe Biden on stage for their vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, 2008, at Washington University in St. Louis.
Palin greets Joe Biden on stage for their vice presidential debate on Oct. 2, 2008, at Washington University in St. Louis.
PAUL J. RICHARDS, AFP/Getty Images
Palin votes on Nov. 4, 2008, at Wasilla City Hall in Wasilla, Alaska.
Palin votes on Nov. 4, 2008, at Wasilla City Hall in Wasilla, Alaska.
Ted S. Warren, AP
Palin speaks at a campaign rally on Oct. 4, 2008, in Carson, Calif.
Palin speaks at a campaign rally on Oct. 4, 2008, in Carson, Calif.
David McNew, Getty Images
Sen. John McCain hugs Palin after his concession speech in Phoenix on Nov. 4, 2008.
Sen. John McCain hugs Palin after his concession speech in Phoenix on Nov. 4, 2008.
Michael Chow, The Arizona Republic
Palin responds to questions during a news conference in Juneau, Alaska, on Feb. 11, 2009.
Palin responds to questions during a news conference in Juneau, Alaska, on Feb. 11, 2009.
Chris Miller, AP
Palin announces on July 3, 2009, in Wasilla, Alaska, that she is stepping down from her position as Alaska governor later that month.
Palin announces on July 3, 2009, in Wasilla, Alaska, that she is stepping down from her position as Alaska governor later that month.
Robert DeBerry, AP
Palin interacts with a customer during a book-signing event in Henrietta, N.Y., on Nov. 21, 2009.
Palin interacts with a customer during a book-signing event in Henrietta, N.Y., on Nov. 21, 2009.
Don Heupel, AP
Palin speaks during a campaign rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Feb. 7, 2010, in Cypress, Texas.
Palin speaks during a campaign rally for Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Feb. 7, 2010, in Cypress, Texas.
Dave Einsel, Getty Images
Palin waves to a rally crowd in Minneapolis with Michele Bachmann on April 7, 2010.
Palin waves to a rally crowd in Minneapolis with Michele Bachmann on April 7, 2010.
Jim Mone, AP
Sarah Palin addresses the crowd during a stop of the Tea Party Express on April 14, 2010, in Boston.
Sarah Palin addresses the crowd during a stop of the Tea Party Express on April 14, 2010, in Boston.
Charles Krupa, AP
Palin campaigns for U.S. Senate candidate John Raese as his wife, Liz, applauds, on Oct. 30, 2010, in Wheeling, W.Va.
Palin campaigns for U.S. Senate candidate John Raese as his wife, Liz, applauds, on Oct. 30, 2010, in Wheeling, W.Va.
Scott McCloskey, AP
Palin signs a copy of her book "America by Heart" at the Andover Dillons Marketplace in Andover, Kan., on Nov. 28, 2010.
Palin signs a copy of her book "America by Heart" at the Andover Dillons Marketplace in Andover, Kan., on Nov. 28, 2010.
Jaime Green, AP
Palin rides on a motorcycle before participating in the Rolling Thunder rally on May 29, 2011, in Arlington, Va.
Palin rides on a motorcycle before participating in the Rolling Thunder rally on May 29, 2011, in Arlington, Va.
Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images
Palin waves to the crowd as she arrives for the Tea Party's "Restoring America" event on Sept. 3, 2011, in Indianola, Iowa.
Palin waves to the crowd as she arrives for the Tea Party's "Restoring America" event on Sept. 3, 2011, in Indianola, Iowa.
Scott Olson, Getty Images
Palin holds a newspaper as she co-hosts NBC's "Today" show in New York on April 3, 2012.
Palin holds a newspaper as she co-hosts NBC's "Today" show in New York on April 3, 2012.
Peter Kramer, AP
Palin speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 16, 2013, in National Harbor, Md.
Palin speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 16, 2013, in National Harbor, Md.
Pete Marovich, Getty Images
Palin waves as she leaves the stage during the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 8, 2014, in National Harbor, Md.
Palin waves as she leaves the stage during the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 8, 2014, in National Harbor, Md.
T.J. Kirkpatrick, Getty Images
Palin watches from the audience during the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas on Dec. 15, 2015.
Palin watches from the audience during the Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas on Dec. 15, 2015.
Ruth Fremson, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency
Palin speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 26, 2015, in National Harbor, Md.
Palin speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 26, 2015, in National Harbor, Md.
H. Darr Beiser, USAT
Donald Trump is joined on stage by Palin during a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Feb. 1, 2016.
Donald Trump is joined on stage by Palin during a campaign event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Feb. 1, 2016.
Mary Altaffer, AP
Palin endorses Trump during a rally at Iowa State University on Jan. 19, 2016, in Ames, Iowa.
Palin endorses Trump during a rally at Iowa State University on Jan. 19, 2016, in Ames, Iowa.
Mary Altaffer, AP
Sarah Palin speaks to members of the media in the spin room after the third U.S. presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Oct. 19, 2016.
Sarah Palin speaks to members of the media in the spin room after the third U.S. presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Oct. 19, 2016.
Bloomberg Via Getty Images
Sarah Palin speaks at a rally in Montgomery, Ala on Sept. 21, 2017.
Sarah Palin speaks at a rally in Montgomery, Ala on Sept. 21, 2017.
Brynn Anderson, AP
Sarah Palin gives a media interview before the start of a funeral service for Rev. Billy Graham at the Billy Graham Library on March 2, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C.
Sarah Palin gives a media interview before the start of a funeral service for Rev. Billy Graham at the Billy Graham Library on March 2, 2018 in Charlotte, N.C.
Brian Blanco, Getty Images
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin listens to a sermon during a funeral service at the Billy Graham Library for the Rev. Billy Graham on March 2, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin listens to a sermon during a funeral service at the Billy Graham Library for the Rev. Billy Graham on March 2, 2018, in Charlotte, N.C.
Chuck Burton, AP
Sarah Palin watches the San Antonio Spurs play against the Denver Nuggets on March 4, 2019, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Sarah Palin watches the San Antonio Spurs play against the Denver Nuggets on March 4, 2019, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Mark Sobhani, NBAE Via Getty Images
Sarah Palin and Host Nick Cannon appear in an episode of "The Masked Singer" on FOX TV in March 2020.
Sarah Palin and Host Nick Cannon appear in an episode of "The Masked Singer" on FOX TV in March 2020.
Michael Becker, FOX
Charlie Kirk, left, and Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, right, hold a discussion during the second day of AmericaFest 2021 hosted by Turning Point USA on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Phoenix.
Charlie Kirk, left, and Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, right, hold a discussion during the second day of AmericaFest 2021 hosted by Turning Point USA on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Phoenix.
Antranik Tavitian, Arizona Republic
Republican U.S. House candidate former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (L) speaks as former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks on during a "Save America" rally at Alaska Airlines Center on July 09, 2022 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Republican U.S. House candidate former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (L) speaks as former U.S. President Donald Trump (R) looks on during a "Save America" rally at Alaska Airlines Center on July 09, 2022 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
LM Otero, AP