Palin resigns as Alaskan governor
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Updated
Sarah Palin cited criticism of her actions and her family since the 2008 campaign among the reasons for her resignation. (Reuters)
Former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has announced she is resigning as the Governor of Alaska.
Ms Palin will quit her post at the end of the month.
She says she has decided not to run for re-election and therefore did not want to be a "lameduck" governor.
"Many just accept that lameduck status and they hit the road, they draw a pay cheque, they kind of milk it - and I'm not going to put Alaskans through that," she said.
Ms Palin's announcement raises speculation she will focus on a run for the White House in 2012, however she has not announced any future plans.
The governor was thrust into the limelight last year as Republican John McCain's surprise choice for his vice-presidential running mate.
Ms Palin took no questions after a brief news conference in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska, with Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell and much of her state cabinet at her side.
"I'm not seeking re-election" in 2010, Ms Palin said, adding she would transfer authority to Mr Parnell on July 26.
"We are not retreating, we are advancing in a different direction," she said.
"We know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time."
Ms Palin, 45, said her decision came after much "prayer and consideration."
She did not want to waste time on "political blood sport" and cited public criticism of her actions and her family since the 2008 campaign.
"You are naive if you don't see a full-court press right now on the national level picking apart a good point guard," she said, using a basketball analogy.
Ms Palin complained during the unsuccessful 2008 campaign about having her comments "filtered" by the mainstream media.
She was cleared in November of wrongdoing in an abuse-of-power investigation into the firing of the state's public safety commissioner.
Last month, Ms Palin signed a book deal to tell her own story, for an undisclosed sum, with News Corp's HarperCollins.
"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," she said.
Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says he is not sure why Ms Palin is stepping down, but he still supports her.
"I think what she's showing is what many of us love about her - her spunk," he said.
"She is who she is and she's willing to take risks.
"Today was an unusual and I believe an unexpected announcement.
"I would have never have imagined it. On the other hand, I don't know what's in her heart, what's in her mind. I wouldn't even pretend to know that."
- ABC/Reuters
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