Longtime Congressman Don Young passed away in March leaving the sole House seat in Alaska vacant for the first time in 40 years. As a result, some fifty GOP candidates are lined up for a primary set to choose his successor, a field that now includes former Alaska Governor and 2008 Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Within hours of her announcement, former President Donald Trump offered his endorsement as a “thank you” for Palin’s endorsement of Trump back early on in the 2016 contest.
Whichever Republican wins the primary, a process that starts in June, is almost a lock to win statewide and fill the remainder of Young’s term through January.
The primary may not be a cake-walk for Palin, as the process has some robust rules to narrow down the massive field:
A special primary is set for June 11. The top four vote-getters will advance to an Aug. 16 special election in which ranked choice voting will be used, a process in line with a new elections system approved by voters in 2020.
The winner, targeted to be certified by Sept. 2, will serve the remainder of Young’s term, which expires in January.
Though Palin is not the only name on an ever-expanding list, her’s is the only name with this epic endorsement from Donald Trump behind her:
“Wonderful patriot Sarah Palin of Alaska just announced that she is running for Congress, and that means there will be a true America First fighter on the ballot to replace the late and legendary Congressman Don Young. Sarah shocked many when she endorsed me very early in 2016, and we won big. Now, it’s my turn! Sarah has been a champion for Alaska values, Alaska energy, Alaska jobs, and the great people of Alaska.”
“She was one of the most popular Governors because she stood up to corruption in both State Government and the Fake News Media. Sarah lifted the McCain presidential campaign out of the dumps despite the fact that she had to endure some very evil, stupid, and jealous people within the campaign itself.”
“They were out to destroy her, but she didn’t let that happen. Sarah Palin is tough and smart and will never back down, and I am proud to give her my Complete and Total Endorsement, and encourage all Republicans to unite behind this wonderful person and her campaign to put America First!”
Palin was the Washington outsider that got the brunt of the hatred from the mainstream establishment elite long before Trump did. Her pedigree was all wrong, her demeanor was all wrong, and her answers were all wrong for them. Palin connected with millions of voters, however, and continues to resonate today.
In Trump’s statement above, he notes that Palin dug John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign out of the “dumps” and he couldn’t be more correct about that. Before McCain selected Palin as a VP, his prospects were floundering and his campaign lacked any real energy. Conservatives were always lear of McCain’s wishy-washy “maverick” ways when he often switched sides on crucial votes just to watch the media fawn over him.
Adding Palin’s name to the boring McCain campaign super-charged the race overnight and gave a large portion of the GOP electorate something to vote FOR rather than simply voting AGAINST Barack Obama’s terrible policies.
Palin could once again find a level of victory if her state chooses to send her to Washington, an outcome that would absolutely rile and anger the same factions that worked overtime to destroy her from the very beginning.
Unlike her days in the McCain campaign, when she was muzzled and generally disliked by everyone in the campaign except John McCain himself, Palin will be running her own Congressional race able to say what she wants and speak her mind. If she builds momentum, and Trump’s early endorsement pushes her over the top, she’ll be well on her way to a new job in Washington, and the country will be better for it.
