Sarah Palin
Born: February 11, 1964, Sandpoint, Idaho
Education: B.S., University of Idaho, 1987
Elected offices: Wasilla, Alaska, City Council member, 1992-96
Wasilla mayor, 1996-2002
Elected governor of Alaska, 2006
Professional career: Television sports reporter, 1987-89; co-owner, commercial fishing operation, 1988-2007; owner, snow machine, watercraft and all-terrain vehicle business, 1994-97; chairwoman, Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 2003-04.
Married: To Todd Palin; five children. The oldest, Track, serves in the U.S. Army; the youngest, Trig, has Down syndrome.
Sources: Almanac of American Politics, CNN