WASHINGTON (CNN) – Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will step down as Alaska's chief executive by the end of the month. She will not seek election to a second gubernatorial term in 2010.
Palin, a Republican, was elected governor in 2006. She was tapped as Arizona Sen. John McCain's vice presidential running mate last year.
Palin said she was transferring authority to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who will be sworn in on July 26.
"People who know me know that besides faith and family, nothing's more important to me than our beloved Alaska," Palin said at an announcement from her home in Wasilla.
"Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine."
Palin added in a statement that she was "determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path. ... Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional 'Lame Duck' status in this particular climate would just be another dose of 'politics as usual,' something I campaigned against and will always oppose."
A Republican source close to Palin's political team told CNN's John King that it was a "calculation" she made that "it was time to move on."
The governor's "book deal and other issues" were "causing a lot of friction up" in her home state, the source said, adding that he believes that she is "mapping out a path to 2012."
Another source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Palin "thinks she has accomplished goals she has set forward. ... She sees what a positive influence she has had on people's lives from traveling the country in the last year."
As the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, Palin has been considered one of the front-runners for the next GOP presidential nomination. Her decision not to seek another term as governor is sure to stoke speculation that Palin is seriously eyeing a run for the White House.
In an interview last month with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Palin said she was unsure about her re-election bid because she needed to focus on her state and her family.
"So, no decision yet on either 2010 or let alone 2012?" Blitzer asked.
"No decision that I'd want to announce today," Palin responded.
– CNN's Peter Hamby, John King, Mark Preston, and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report.
(Updated at 4:45 p.m. with additional information)
From CNN Politics
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Why is the left so afraid of her???
I think she is afraid of dealing with the financial crisis that every state is facing at this time... she's giving up rather then facing the people... classy as usual.
Is there another indictment brewing that she knows she can't duck?
OMG! This is a clear sign that she is under the illusion that she can be President! Good help us all!
Anyone who doesn't realize Palin is a first class moron is an even bigger moron! What an absolute imbecile she is.
Now, if Obama could only follow her example...
Oh no, we in the lower states are will be seeing here down here as she starts what SHE thinks is her Presidential bid...God help us! Congrats Alasaka you got rid of a dork!
No gumption! Another governor who puts herself first and the voters of her state second. Doesn't look good on a presidential resume... wonder what's up? Promises made ... promises not kept ...
you betcha!
This is a good woman who is passion for this country and her family.
She has my vote for President.
Please run and save us from the mistake this country made with Obama.
Probably an expose coming out in the National Enquirer.
At last. Now maybe this ignorant, divisive woman will finally disappear. I certainly hope she isn't doing this so that she can run for president. I wonder what is going on? Is she being smart or has something happened that will become apparent in a few days? We'll see.
She's a fraud, always was, always will be. I actually think she is the real secret lover of the SC governor...
Could be there's another little hydrocephaloid in the oven. After I saw that Madonna and child picture of Sarah Palin, my first thought was: "Sarah Palin is a carrier of the Curly Howard gene."
Hey Zack – in referring to Palin's numbers, do you mean her IQ? If so, then I agree.
Everybody loves a quitter.
It is no surprize about Gov Palin. She should not have been picked by John McCain. I was a supporter of him until that horrible day when he chose her to be his running mate. John why could you not see the writing on the wall.
Hmm. Did Sanford ever take a trip to Alaska?
I betcha she is gonna get some schoolin.
Obvious move by Palin for something greater, perhaps for the White House in 2012. She was constantly attacked, unwarranted, by the liberal media. Perhaps her strategy is to "hide out" for a year or two and come back when the media least expects it? I don't know if I agree, but contrary to what most believe, she is a very intelligent woman, and she's most definitely go something up her sleeves.
Can't wait to see a transcript of her rambling. Does she ever take a breath or make a complete sentence. It is exhausting trying to follow her train of thought!
Here comes the media blitz to speculate she is going to run in 2012....GOD HELP US!
What the hell was that announcement/speech about??? Has she ever been tested for ADHD? It's like her staff put a bunch of statements on post-it notes, wallpapered her office with them and released a superball. The speech was written as the ball hit a post-it note...
And where are these comments on Trig – I've never heard a single one. Maybe, like Letterman, she too confused her kids...
Let's see – Sarah is stepping down ! Could it be she is contemplating going back to school and study geography, communications, sex education for minors ? That will be a pretty heavy load for Sarah for a two-year study program with final exam set for 2012 !
What to get the President who has everything? WHAT a thoughtful holiday gift to the nation! I didn't think Ms. Get-A-Moose had it in her....Now she'll have time to raise her illegitimate grandchild, "re-educate" her daughter on how to speak "right" about abortion, and find out if hubby Todd has seceded and 'and also' created his own state somewhere. Maybe she can see it (also) from her porch....
Love and Best Wishes from Dorothy and all the Toto's in Kansas and everywhere... Happy Stonewalling......