OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is going to eb a candidate in the election to determine the next representative from her state.
After the election last week the top three candidates have been announced and they are Palin, GOP candidate Nick Begich, and Independent candidate Al Gross.
The special election is set to take place in August after the death of the late Rep. Don Young who had the job for 49 years, Fox News reported.
Alaska’s novel, mainly vote-by-mail election was held Saturday and included candidates of all parties for the state’s only House seat.
Palin was one of nearly 50 candidates and enjoyed huge name recognition over many of the others.
With 132,730 votes counted, Palin had 28.3%, followed by Republican Nick Begich with 19.3% and independent Al Gross with 12.8%. Democrat Mary Peltola had 8.7% and Republican Tara Sweeney, 5.5%.
The top four will advance to the special election, which will include a ranked-choice system approved by voters in 2020. The fourth candidate hasn’t yet been decided.
The winner will serve until January, the end of Young’s term.
Palin appeared to celebrate on Sunday morning when she was ahead in the vote count, already looking toward the special election as she tweeted “Thank you Alaska!” with a meme stating her platform.
Thank you Alaska! ❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wlMSaOneqS
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) June 12, 2022
In April former President Donald Trump endorsed Palin, a long-time ally.
“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,” Trump noted in a statement put out by his Save America PAC.
“Sarah shocked many when she endorsed me very early in 2016, and we won big,” Trump continued. “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,” Trump added. “Sarah lifted the [late Sen. John] 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,” the former president continued. “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.”
NEW!
President Donald J. Trump announces his endorsement of Sarah Palin pic.twitter.com/9y0a39htCj
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) April 4, 2022
A week prior, Palin took to Facebook to announce that she would run for the seat held by Young, 88, since 1973.
“Today I’m announcing my candidacy for the U.S. House seat representing Alaska. 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,” Palin wrote. “I realize that I have very big shoes to fill, and 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.”
She adds:
I first entered politics 30 years ago, when I was elected to city council in Wasilla. I still live in Wasilla; my family is here; my son goes to school here. My heart will always be in Alaska, even when I’m representing this great state in Washington, D.C.
America is at a tipping point. As I’ve watched the far left destroy the country, I knew I had to step up and join the fight. The people of the great State of Alaska, like others all over the country, are struggling with out-of-control inflation, empty shelves, and gas prices that are among the highest in the world. We need energy security for this country, and Alaska can help provide that – but only if the federal government gets out of the way and lets the free market do what it does best.
At this critical time in our nation’s history, we need leaders who will combat the left’s socialist, big-government, America-last agenda. This country was built by heroes, and the radical left dishonors their legacies by opening our borders to illegal immigrants, mortgaging our children’s future, and selling out our nation’s interests to the highest bidder.
I’m in this race to win it and join the fight for freedom alongside other patriots willing to sacrifice all to save our country.
