Ex-presidential contender John McCain made a stunning pick for a running mate in 2008 in the person of Sarah Palin. His vice presidential candidate shot from relative obscurity to pop culture phenomenon, spawning, among others, the Tina Fey lampoons on Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Sarah Palin holds the record of being Alaska’s first female governor. During her tenure, Governor Palin oversaw a $5 billion investment in state savings and set a benefits program for low income Alaskan seniors. She also launched the state’s first Climate Change Subcabinet, as well as the Petroleum Systems Integrity Office.

Mindful of Palin’s growing popularity within the Republican Party, Senator John McCain selected her as his vice presidential running mate in August 2008. That made Palin the first woman in history to become part of the GOP’s presidential ticket.

Before she was voted governor, Palin had been mayor of the city of Wasilla, Alaska from 1996 to 2002. She also served two terms as Wasilla councilor.

From 2003 to January 2004, Sarah Palin chaired the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a government agency tasked to conserve and maximize America’s oil and gas reserves. During her incumbency, she exposed ethical iniquities committed by Randy Ruedrich, the GOP state chairperson.

On Dec. 4, 2006, after defeating Democratic rival Tony Knowles in the elections, Sarah Palin was sworn in as Alaska’s 11th governor. She resigned on July 25, 2009.

Born Sarah Heath Palin on February 11, 1964 in Idaho, the future governor arrived in Alaska when her parents moved to teach at Skagway. She returned to her birth state to study journalism, a degree she completed at the University of Idaho in 1987. She then landed gigs as a sportscaster in a few TV stations in Anchorage, Alaska.

The following year, she wed Alaska native and four-time Iron Dog champion Todd Palin. He gave her five children, namely Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig. The couple runs a fishing business.