In a statement Friday, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced a run for her state’s sole House seat.
Only two days later, she won the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
“Sarah Palin is tough and smart and will never back down,” Trump said in a statement Sunday though his Save America PAC. “I am proud to give her my Complete and Total Endorsement, and encourage all Republicans to unite behind this wonderful person and her campaign to put America First!”
Palin is running for the seat left vacant after the death of longtime Rep. Don Young, a Republican. She offered some kind words about Young in her statement.
“Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years. I realize that I have very big shoes to fill,” she wrote. “I plan to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by offering myself up in the name of service to the state he loved and fought for, because I share that passion for Alaska and the United States of America.”
Palin remains best known for serving as the running mate of the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2008’s presidential election.
Trump used the endorsement to take shots at McCain and his failed run for president.
“Sarah lifted the McCain presidential campaign out of the dumps despite the fact that she had to endure some very evil, stupid, and jealous people within the campaign itself,” Trump said. “They were out to destroy her, but she didn’t let that happen.”
In 2017, McCain angered the former president by casting the deciding vote against the American Health Care Act. A year later, he told The New York Times that he should have chosen someone else as a running mate.
Palin resigned as governor in 2009. Since then, she has remained politically active as a fundraiser for the Republicans.
She even endorsed Trump for president in 2016… and earned a resounding thanks from Trump.
“Sarah shocked many when she endorsed me very early in 2016, and we won big,” Trump’s statement said. “Now, it’s my turn!”
Trump has endorsed more than 100 candidates up for election this year, according to Axios, and he will test his kingmaker status in November’s midterm elections.
So far, he has achieved mixed results with his endorsements.
In Wyoming, he threw his support behind the eventual frontrunner in the Republican primary against incumbent Rep. Liz Cheney. However, he endorsed certain candidates for governor in Georgia, Idaho, and Maryland, and they all remain longshots in the upcoming Republican primaries.
Palin may face a tougher-than-expected race against the Democrat candidate… even after Trump’s endorsement.
In 2020, Alaska switched to ranked-choice voting for statewide elections. So consensus candidates enjoy an advantage over more polarizing candidates.
Palin will appear on the ballot June 11, as part of Alaska’s first vote-by-mail election for a statewide race. According to Anchorage Daily News, she’s running against 50 other candidates, including North Pole City Councilmember Santa Claus.
The former governor will face candidates of both parties in a nonpartisan primary. After that, the top four candidates will advance to a ranked-choice runoff on Aug. 16.
Read Trump’s full statement here —
Wonderful patriot Sarah Palin of Alaska just announced that she is running for Congress, and that means there will be a true America First fighter on the ballot to replace the late and legendary Congressman Don Young. Sarah shocked many when she endorsed me very early in 2016, and we won big. Now, it’s my turn! Sarah has been a champion for Alaska values, Alaska energy, Alaska jobs, and the great people of Alaska. She was one of the most popular Governors because she stood up to corruption in both State Government and the Fake News Media. Sarah lifted the McCain presidential campaign out of the dumps despite the fact that she had to endure some very evil, stupid, and jealous people within the campaign itself. They were out to destroy her, but she didn’t let that happen. Sarah Palin is tough and smart and will never back down, and I am proud to give her my Complete and Total Endorsement, and encourage all Republicans to unite behind this wonderful person and her campaign to put America First!
The Horn editorial team