Sarah Palin. biography

Alaskan governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin was born on February 11, 1964 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Her family moved to Alaska when she was a baby. Sarah was a star point guard in high school, leading her team to the state title and earning the nickname "Sarah Barracuda." In 1984, she was the runner-up in the Miss Alaska Pageant.

After earning her degree from the University of Idaho in Communications and Journalism, Sarah became a sports reporter. She married her high school sweetheart and has five children. Her political career began as a city council member in Wasilla. After serving as the mayor of Wasilla for several years, Palin was elected governor of Alaska in 2006, defeating the incumbent in the primary. She is currently under investigation for firing a state official that wouldn't fire her ex-brother-in-law.

Sarah's political image as a reformer and strong social conservative led John McCain to select her as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. Palin is the first female Republican vice presidential nominee, and only the second woman to be put on a national ticket in history.

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