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UPDATE 4:51 P.M. | Palin to resign as governor of Alaska

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In this Saturday, June 6, 2009 photo, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin listens during a tour of the Seward House Museum in Auburn, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli, file)

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Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announces that she is stepping down from her position as Governor in Wasilla, Alaska on Friday July 3, 2009. The former Republican vice presidential candidate made the surprise announcement, saying she would step down July 26 but didn't announce her plans.

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WASILLA, Alaska — Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she will resign in a few weeks. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will take over at the Governor's Picnic in Fairbanks 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.

"Serving her people is the greatest honor I could imagine."

Palin made the announcement at a news conference at her home in Wasilla.

"I am determined to take the right path for Alaska even though it is not the easiest path," Palin said.

"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. It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success."

As for her future, Palin said: "I look forward to helping others — to fight for our state and our country, and campaign for those who believe in smaller government, free enterprise, strong national security, support for our troops and energy independence."

After Parnell is sworn in as governor, Craig Campbell, head of the state Department of Military Affairs and National Guard, will become lieutenant governor.

UPDATE 3:55 P.M Palin resigning as Alaska governor

WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she will resign from office July 26. Her spokesman wouldn't say why Palin decided to step down, but the announcement stirred speculation that she would focus on a 2012 bid for the Republican nomination for president.

UPDATE 3:39 P.M. Spokesman: Sarah Palin is resigning as Alaska governor on July 26

WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — Spokesman: Sarah Palin is resigning as Alaska governor on July 26.
 

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