page_title: Governorship of Sarah Palin
section_title: Endangered species
hierarchical_section_title: Governorship of Sarah Palin / Environment / Endangered species
caption_attribution_description: English: Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) resting but alert. Photo was taken along the Beaufort Sea Coastline, Alaska.
context_page_description: In 2006, Sarah Palin was elected governor of Alaska. Running on a clean-government platform, Palin defeated incumbent Governor Frank Murkowski in the Republican gubernatorial primary election in August. She then went on to win the general election in November, defeating former Governor Tony Knowles 48.3% to 40.9%. Her running mate was State Senator Sean Parnell.
  During the Republican gubernatorial primary campaign, Palin was endorsed by former Alaska Governor Walter Hickel, and groups such as the Alaska Correctional Officers Association and Alaska Right to Life. Later, in the general election for governor, she was supported by Governor Frank Murkowski. Republican U.S. Senator Ted Stevens made a last-moment endorsement, filming a television commercial with Palin for the gubernatorial campaign.
  During her campaign for governor, Palin declared that education, public safety, and transportation would be the three cornerstones of her administration. She won the race despite spending less than her Democratic opponent.
  Palin became Alaska's first female governor and, at 42, the youngest in state history.
caption: A polar bear
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