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Sarah Palin
Governor Sarah Palin made history on
Dec. 4, 2006, when she took office. As the 11th governor of Alaska, she
is the first woman to hold the office.
Since taking office, her top priorities have been resource development,
education and workforce development, public health and safety, and
transportation and infrastructure development.
Under her leadership, Alaska invested
$5 billion in state savings, overhauled education funding, and
implemented the Senior Benefits Program that provides support for
low-income older Alaskans. She created Alaska’s Petroleum Systems
Integrity Office to provide oversight and maintenance of oil and gas
equipment, facilities and infrastructure, and the Climate Change
Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.
During her first legislative session, Governor Palin’s administration
passed two major pieces of legislation – an overhaul of the state’s
ethics laws and a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline.
Governor Palin is chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact
Commission, a multi-state government agency that promotes the
conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas
resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She was
recently named chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural
Resources Committee, which is charged with pursuing legislation to
ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the
areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural
resource management. Prior to being named to this position, she served
as co-chair of this committee.
Prior to her election as governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla
City Council and two terms as the mayor/manager of Wasilla. During her
tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and
made Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry.
She has served as chair of the Alaska
Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska's most valuable
non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She was elected by her peers to
serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she
worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to
the needs of Alaska's communities.
Sarah Heath Palin arrived in Alaska
with her family in 1964, when her parents came to teach school in
Skagway. She received a bachelor of science degree in
communications-journalism from the University of Idaho in 1987. Palin,
who graduated from Wasilla High School in 1982, has lived in Skagway,
Eagle River and Wasilla.
She is married to Todd Palin, who is a lifelong Alaskan, a production
operator on the North Slope and a four-time champion of the Iron Dog,
the world's longest snowmachine race.
Todd and Sarah fish in Bristol
Bay with their children – Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig.
Through Todd’s Yup'ik grandmother, Alaska’s Native heritage plays an
important role in their family. Track enlisted in the U.S. Army on Sept.
11, 2007.
Prior to taking office, Palin served on numerous boards and commissions
throughout the state. She was active in her family’s pursuits –
including serving as a sports team mom and school volunteer. She also
runs marathons.
Palin is a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing,
Alaska history, and all that Alaska's great outdoors has to offer.
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