Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee, remains a prominent figure in American politics. Despite recent electoral setbacks, she continues to engage in various activities and advocate for causes she believes in. This article explores what Sarah Palin is doing now, her recent political endeavors, and her potential future involvement in Alaska and national politics.
Following her resignation as governor of Alaska in 2009, Palin has pursued diverse avenues, including writing books, public speaking, reality television appearances, and contributing to Fox News. She also formed a political action committee, though it has since disbanded. While she maintained a lower profile in Alaska politics for several years, she re-emerged in 2022 with a campaign for the state’s U.S. House seat, which became vacant after the death of long-time Congressman Don Young.
Alt: Sarah Palin addressing the crowd at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, advocating for conservative principles and the Republican Party platform.
Recent Political Campaigns and Results
In 2022, Palin contested two elections for Alaska’s U.S. House seat. The first was a special election to fill the remainder of Young’s term, and the second was the general election for a full two-year term. Both elections utilized ranked-choice voting, a system approved by Alaska voters in 2020. Palin lost both elections to Democrat Mary Peltola, who became the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress.
Several factors contributed to Palin’s defeat. Some voters were reportedly turned off by her 2009 resignation as governor. Critics also viewed her campaign as lackluster, especially compared to Peltola’s campaign, which focused on local issues and presented her as a “regular Alaskan.” Palin also faced competition from Republican Nick Begich, who challenged her for the conservative vote.
Advocacy for Repealing Ranked-Choice Voting
Since her election losses, Palin has become a vocal advocate for repealing Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system. She argues that the system is confusing and led to the election of a Democrat in a state that typically leans Republican. Palin has pledged to support efforts to repeal the system, working alongside Art Mathias, a leader of the repeal effort. Mathias believes Palin’s “huge audience” and influence will be “invaluable” in advancing the cause.
Other Activities and Future Plans
In addition to her political activities, Palin has been involved in various other ventures. She creates personalized videos through Cameo, a platform where people can pay for messages from celebrities. Her videos are currently advertised at $199 each.
Alt: Sarah Palin engaging with supporters at a rally, emphasizing her connection with the audience and grassroots activism.
While Palin has not announced any specific plans for future political campaigns, she has indicated that her “heart is in service to Alaskans.” She has also expressed a desire to work with members of Congress, even outside of elected office, to “help ensure that Americans can trust what’s going on in government.” These comments echo similar sentiments she made when she resigned as governor in 2009, suggesting a continued commitment to public service.
Analysis of Palin’s Current Position
Despite her recent electoral losses, Palin remains a significant figure in conservative politics. Republican strategist Brad Todd notes that Palin possesses an “anti-elite vernacular” that resonates with many voters. He believes that her two election losses will not prevent her from being a “very powerful surrogate” for other candidates if she chooses to be.
However, Todd also acknowledges that Palin faces increased competition in the current political landscape. With the rise of figures like Donald Trump, who share similar characteristics, Palin has “a lot more company in her lane than she had 12, 14 years ago.”
Conclusion
Sarah Palin’s current activities involve a mix of political advocacy, business ventures, and potential future involvement in Alaska and national politics. While her recent election losses have raised questions about her political future, she remains a prominent voice in the conservative movement and continues to advocate for causes she believes in, particularly the repeal of ranked-choice voting in Alaska. Her future role in American politics remains to be seen, but it is clear that she intends to stay engaged and contribute to the political discourse.
