Amid growing speculation that Sarah Palin will not seek re-election as Alaska Governor in 2010, many Republicans and Democrats across the state have begun eyeing running for the post.
No candidate, including Palin, has yet filed papers with the Alaska Public Offices Commission. Palin’s office declined to comment on her willingness to participate in the 2010 race.
And a number of Democrats and Republicans in Alaska and Washington told Politico that Alaska Governor’s silence was a sign that she wanted to play a larger role on the national political stage.
“There is nothing that she has done that leads me to believe she will seek re-election. If you’re Palin, once you’ve flown first class, you don’t go back to coach,” said Andrew Halcro, a former Republican state legislator.
“She’s been to the show and certainly seemed to like it there. I have no doubt in my mind that, barring some unforeseen collapse on the national stage, she won’t seek re-election,” he added.
At least three Democrats and six Republicans are mulling over runs as they wait on the governor to make her decision.
“We don’t think she’s running. [There is a] 50-50 chance she runs for governor,” said a former Palin staffer involved in state Republican politics.
The governor has not publicly committed one way or another, telling CNN two weeks ago that she is not going to do anything yet, the paper said.
According to several Alaska sources, Palin would not be able to tap her vast national fundraising network for the statewide race, but her ability to quickly raise cash from around Alaska has been bolstered by her vice presidential run and remains unrivalled.
“There is no upside for her in announcing early. She can raise all the money she wants,” said one potential Democratic candidate.
