'''Sarah Louise Heath Palin''' (pronounced pay'-lynn) (born February 11, 1964) is a [[conservative]] [[Republican Party|Republican]] who served as the 11th [[governor]] of [[Alaska]] from 2006 through 2009. She is the first woman to appear on a Republican presidential ticket. Palin has been mentioned as a challenger to unpopular Alaska [[RINO]] Sen. [[Lisa Murkowski]] on the 2022 GOP Senate primary.
Palin came to the nation's attention as Senator [[John McCain]]'s vice presidential running mate in the [[2008 Presidential Election]].<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/08/palins_vp_selection_speech.html Acceptance Speech by Palin] realclearpolitics.com, August 29, 2008</ref> She is the first woman to appear on a Republican presidential ticket. In an appearance on August 30, 2008 in Washington, Pennsylvania, she was greeted by a surprisingly large crowd as she promoted the new McCain-Palin ticket. She brought a [[populism|populist]] image and a record of cutting wasteful spending and reforming government to McCain's ticket. In the summer of 2007, she was the most popular governor in America, having cut 13% of [[Alaska]]'s budget.<ref>[http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/851orcjq.asp The Most Popular Governor] Barnes, Fred, Jul 16, 2007, weeklystandard.com</ref>
Palin is an advocate for the socially conservative base of the [[Republican Party]]. She is strongly [[pro-life]], and a prominent spokesperson for [[special needs]] children. She favors more competition in health care, and pushed for abolishing the [[certificate of need]] regulations that interfere with opening new medical clinics.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/04/AR2008090403253.html?referrer=emailarticle Palin's Efforts to Reform Health Care Are Complicated] Mosk, Matthew, September 5, 2008, washingtonpost.com</ref>
After the successful Senate confirmation of [[Brett Kavanaugh]] to the [[United States Supreme Court]], Palin hinted at a potential [[2022 U.S. Senate elections|2022]] primary challenge against [[Lisa Murkowski]], who voted against proceeding with the nomination and "present" at the final vote.<ref>Gstaltar, Morgan (October 5, 2018). [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/410147-sarah-palin-to-murkowski-after-kavanaugh-vote-i-can-see-2022-from-my-house Sarah Palin to Murkowski after Kavanaugh vote: 'I can see 2022 from my house']. ''The Hill''. Retrieved February 17, 2021.</ref> She repeated the speculation in late 2020 amidst the Senate confirmation of [[Amy Coney Barrett]] to the Court.<ref>Miller, Andrew Mark (September 26, 2020). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/palin-hints-at-senate-run-in-alaska-if-lisa-murkowski-opposes-trumps-supreme-court-nominee Palin hints at Senate run in Alaska if Lisa Murkowski opposes Trump's Supreme Court nominee]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved February 17, 2021.</ref> Murkowski is known for her Senate tenure as an extremely [[pro-abortion]]<ref>[https://www.ncregister.com/news/senate-vote-on-20-week-abortion-ban-fails Senate Vote on 20-Week Abortion Ban Fails]. ''National Catholic Register''. Retrieved February 17, 2021.</ref><ref>[https://mustreadalaska.com/murkowski-votes-with-democrats-defeat-taxpayer-abortion-ban/ Murkowski votes with Democrats to defeat ban on taxpayer-funded abortion]. ''Must Read Alaska''. Retrieved February 17, 2021.</ref> [[RINO]] despite Alaska being a mostly conservative state.
Palin came to the nation's attention as Senator [[John McCain]]'s vice presidential running mate in the [[2008 Presidential Election]].<ref>[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/08/palins_vp_selection_speech.html Acceptance Speech by Palin] realclearpolitics.com, August 29, 2008</ref> She is the first woman to appear on a Republican presidential ticket. In an appearance on August 30, 2008 in Washington, Pennsylvania, she was greeted by a surprisingly large crowd as she promoted the new McCain-Palin ticket. She brought a [[populism|populist]] image and a record of cutting wasteful spending and reforming government to McCain's ticket. In the summer of 2007, she was the most popular governor in America, having cut 13% of [[Alaska]]'s budget.<ref>[http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/013/851orcjq.asp The Most Popular Governor] Barnes, Fred, Jul 16, 2007, weeklystandard.com</ref>
==Personal Background==