Sarah Palin is running for congress

• Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska, announced she is running for the state’s lone congressional seat.
• Palin is returning to politics after a hiatus of more than a decade, having resigned as Governor in 2009. 
• Her Congressional run comes on the heels of the passing of Rep. Don Young, who died earlier this month.

Sarah Palin, the former Governor of Alaska, announced Friday she is running for the state’s lone congressional seat, following the death of Representative Don Young earlier this month. 

“Today I’m announcing my candidacy for the U.S. House seat representing Alaska. Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years,” Palin said in a statement released to her Twitter account. “I realize that I have very big shoes to fill, and I plan to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by offering myself up in the name of service to the state he loved and fought for, because I share that passion for Alaska and the United States of America.”

Palin has not served in public office for more than a decade, having taken a hiatus following her resignation as Governor of Alaska in 2009 amid ethics investigations which found she abused her power while in office. 

“America is at a tipping point. As I’ve watched the far left destroy the country, I knew I had to step up and join the fight,” Palin’s statement said. “The people of the great State of Alaska, like other all over the country, are struggling with out-of-control inflation, empty shelves, and gas prices that are among the highest in the world. We need energy security for this country, and Alaska can help provide that — but only if the federal government gets out of the way and lets the free market do what it does best.”

Perhaps best known as the vice presidential running mate in John McCain’s 2008 run for office, Palin has spent her time out of public service endorsing and campaigning for GOP candidates, creating a PAC named for herself and as the star of her own reality TV show.

Palin’s campaign did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Palin as Mitt Romney’s vice-presidential running mate.