Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Monday that she will remain in the general election race to succeed the late Rep. Don Young after Democrat Mary Peltola won a special election amid a Republican split that sparked backlash within the GOP. Palin made the announcement during an impromptu Labor Day press conference that sent reporters scrambling to her backyard on the shores of Lake Lucille in Wasilla. The circumstances were similar to a key political milestone in her life, her 2009 resignation as governor of Alaska in the wake of an unsuccessful run for vice president alongside GOP Vice President John McCain. Reporters flocked to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s home on the shores of Lake Lucille in Wasilla for her announcement. (Liz Raskin/Alaska Public Media) Peltola became the first Alaskan to be elected to Congress on Wednesday after winning the state’s first election held on Aug. 16, with 51.48 percent of the runoff vote to Palin’s 48.52. Her victory came amid a negative campaign between Palin and Begits, with only half of voters who ranked Begits first ranking Palin second — and nearly a third ranking Peltola over Palin. Palin had responded to the results of the runoff, which were announced Wednesday and concluded Friday, by calling on Begić to drop out of the race – a demand he denied. Palin said Monday that she sent Begich a copy of the state candidates’ withdrawal form. Her speech came on the last day under state law for candidates to withdraw from the general election race. Alaska Public Media reporter Liz Ruskin contributed information to this story. Previous articleOfficers shoot and kill Wasilla man during standoff
