Palin to resign as governor

ALASKA governor Sarah Palin said yesterday that she is resigning from office at the end of the month, raising speculation that she would focus on a run for the White House in 2012.

The former Republican vice-presidential candidate made the surprise announcement from her home in suburban Wasilla. She said she would step down on July 26 but didn’t announce her plans.

“Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional lame duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose,” Palin said in a statement.

“It is my duty to always protect our great state. With that in mind, my family and I determined that it is best to make a difference this summer, and I am willing to change things, so that this administration, with its positive agenda, its accomplishments and its successful road to an incredible future, can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success,” she said.

Lt Gov Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the end of the month.