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Todd Palin

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Todd Palin
Palin at the 2010Time100Gala
First Gentleman of Alaska
In role
December 4, 2006 – July 26, 2009
GovernorSarah Palin
Preceded byNancy Murkowski
(First Lady)
Succeeded bySandra Parnell
(First Lady)
First Gentleman ofWasilla
In role
October 14, 1996 – October 14, 2002
MayorSarah Palin
Personal details
Born
Todd Mitchell Palin

(1964-09-06)September 6, 1964(age 60)
Dillingham,Alaska,U.S.
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Alaska Independence(1995–2002)
Spouse
​
​
(m.1988;div.2020)​
Children5, includingBristol[1]
Residence(s)Wasilla, Alaska,U.S.
OccupationOil field production worker[2]
Commercial fisherman
Snowmachine racer

Todd Mitchell Palin(born September 6, 1964)[3]is an American businessman who was thefirst gentleman of Alaskafrom 2006 to 2009. He is the former husband of formerAlaska governorSarah Palin,the 2008Republicanvice presidentialnominee withJohn McCain.

Early life and education

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Palin was born and raised inDillingham, Alaskato James F. "Jim" and Blanche Palin (née Roberts).[4][5]Palin hasYup'ik,Dutch, andEnglishancestry.[6][7]His grandmother Lena Andree was the daughter of a Dutch-American father and a Yup'ik mother and she grew up speaking both English and Yup'ik. Andree grew up in the now abandoned community of Tuklung in a mixed race region ofBristol Bayand was a member of anAlaska Native corporation,but was not an enrolled citizen of any tribe. Palin is not actively involved in Native politics or any Native organizations, but receives dividends from theBristol Bay Native Corporation.Hisblood quantumis one-eighth and that of his children is one-sixteenth. Because he is a non-enrolled lineal descendant of an enrolled Alaska Native (his great-grandmother), he and his children are eligible for health benefits under federal law through the 1970Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.[8]Tuklung was consolidated into theManokotakVillage, a federally recognized tribe.[9]

In 1982, Palin graduated fromWasilla High School,which is the same alma mater of his wife and their eldest two children, son Track and daughterBristol.He has taken some college courses but did not complete a degree.[5]

Career

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Palin was aunionmember and belonged to theUnited Steelworkersunion.[10]

For 18 years, he worked forBPin theNorth Slopeoil fields of Alaska. In 2007, in order to avoid a conflict of interest that related to his wife's position as governor, he took a leave[11]from his job as production supervisor, when his employer became involved innatural gas pipelinenegotiations with his wife's administration.[5]Seven months later, because the family needed more income, Todd returned to BP. In order to avoid potential conflict of interest, this time, he accepted a non-management position as a production operator.[2][11]He resigned from his job on September 18, 2009, with the stated reason as a desire to spend more time with his family.[12]

He is also a commercialsalmonfishermanatBristol Bayon theNushugak River.[5]

Public life

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Voter registration

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Palin first registered to vote in 1989. From October 1995 through July 2002, except for a few months in 2000, he was registered to vote as a member of theAlaskan Independence Party.[13]In late August 2008,The Politicoreported that Palin was registered to vote as an independent (undeclared), and had never registered as a Republican.[14]His wife, Sarah, confirmed that he is not registered with any party both in her 2009 memoir,Going Rogue: An American Life,and in a Q&A session following a 2010 address to a national convention of theTea PartyinNashville, Tennessee.[15][16]

First gentleman of Alaska

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Palin inRaleigh, North Carolina

Palin was thefirst gentleman,or "first dude," as he was often nicknamed,[17]for two and a half years, from 2006 to 2009. Early on in that role, he encouraged young Alaskans who could not afford college to consider jobs in the oil and gas industry as an effective training ground, and advised the governor on workforce development issues for the natural gas pipeline she supported.[18]

In February 2010, the state of Alaska released to msnbc reporterBill Dedmanabout 1,200 e-mails, which totaled 3,000 pages, that Palin exchanged with state officials. Almost 250 additional ones were withheld by the state, under a claim that executive privilege extends to Palin as an unpaid adviser to the government.[19]Gregg Erickson, columnist for theAnchorage Daily News,said, in September 2008, that Palin "obviously plays an important role... I've seen him in the governor's office and I know that she's conducted interviews in the governor's office with him present".[20]The emails showed Palin discussing a wide range of activities: potential board appointees, constituent complaints, use of the state jet, oil and gas production, marine regulation, gas pipeline bids, wildfires, native Alaskan issues, the state effort to save theMatanuska Maid dairy,budget planning, potential budget vetoes, oil shale leasing, "strategy for responding to media allegations," staffing at the mansion, per diem payments to the governor for travel, "strategy for responding to questions about pregnancy," potential cuts to the governor's staff, "confidentiality issues,"Bureau of Land Managementland transfers and trespass issues and requests to the U.S. transportation secretary.[21][22]

Other

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As of late 2009, Palin was a community volunteer who worked in youth sports, coachinghockeyandbasketball.[23] He was a judge in the 2008Miss Alaskapageant.[24]

In August 2012, Palin became a contestant on theNBCcelebrity reality competition seriesStars Earn Stripes.[25]

Thoroughbred racehorseFirst Dude,named after Palin's nickname, finished second at the2010 Preakness Stakesand won the 2011Hollywood Gold Cup.

Champion snowmachine racer

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Palin is a four-time champion of theTesoro Iron Dog,the world's longestsnowmachinerace,[18][26]which traces the path of theIditarod racewith an extra journey of several hundred miles toFairbanksadded.

Palin has competed in the Tesoro every year since 1993.[18]His racing teammate is Scott Davis, with whom he won in 2007.[27]He has previously raced with Dusty Van Meter in the race, and they were co-champions in 2000 and 2002.[28]In 1995, Palin partnered with Dwayne Drake for his first win.[28]

In 2008, while defending hisTesoro Iron Dogchampionship, he was injured and broke his arm 400 miles (640 km) from the finish line[29]when he was thrown 70 feet[30]from his machine.[31]He was sent to the hospital but managed to finish in fourth place.[32]

In 2016, trying for anotherTesoro Iron Dogchampionship, he was forced to scratch at checkpoint Nenana, 112 miles from the finish, when partner Shane Barber suffered engine trouble.[33]

In March 2016, Palin was seriously injured in a snowmachine crash, suffering a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and a broken clavicle and shoulder blade.[34]

Public Safety commissioner controversy

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Main article:Alaska Public Safety Commissioner dismissal

Palin's name has appeared in news reports regarding the firing of commissionerWalt Moneganand the actions of Alaska state trooper Mike Wooten.[35][36][37]At one point, Todd Palin brought information prepared by himself and a private investigator to Monegan.[35]

On September 12, 2008, theAlaska legislaturesubpoenaedPalin to testify on his role in the controversy.[38]On September 18, the McCain/Palin campaign announced that Todd Palin would refuse to testify because he does not believe the investigation is legitimate.[39]State senator Bill Wielechowski said that the witnesses could not be punished for disobeying the subpoenas until the full legislature comes into session, then scheduled to be in January 2009.[39]

On October 10, 2008, Palin was cited in special investigator Stephen Branchflower's report[40]to the Legislative Council. One of Branchflower's four main findings was that the governor had violated Alaska's ethics act when she "wrongfully permitted Todd Palin to use the governor's office... to continue to contact subordinate state employees in an effort to find some way to get trooper Wooten fired".[41][42]Todd Palin's conduct was not assessed in the report, as he was not an executive branch employee.[43]

Personal life

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In August 1988, Palin eloped with his high-school girlfriendSarah Heath.[44]The Palins have five children: Track Charles James (b. 1989), who has enlisted in theUnited States Armyand deployed toIraqon September 11, 2008;Bristol Sheeran Marie(b. 1990);[45]Willow Bianca Faye (b. 1994); Piper Indy Grace (b. 2001);[18]and Trig Paxson Van (b. 2008), who hasDown syndrome;[46][47][48]they also have nine grandchildren.[49]

Palin fishes and holds aPrivate Pilot Certificate.[50][51]He also owns his own aircraft, aPiper PA-18Super Cub.[52]

Palin's stepmother, Faye Palin, ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for the position of mayor ofWasilla, Alaska,to succeed Palin's wife, who wasterm-limited.Faye Palin, who ispro-choiceand a registeredDemocrat,lost to Dianne M. Keller, a candidate endorsed by Sarah Palin.[53]

Palin filed for divorce from Sarah on August 29, 2019, citing "incompatibility of temperament".[54]The divorce was finalized on March 23, 2020.[55][56]

References

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  1. ^New York Times staff."Times Topics, People, Sarah Palin".Biography.RetrievedMay 30,2010.
  2. ^ab"Palin carved her own path in Alaska – International Herald Tribune".iht.RetrievedSeptember 2,2008.[dead link]
  3. ^Martin, Jonathan (September 6, 2008)."Todd Palin: A celebrity in his own right".Jonathan Martin's Blog.Politico.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
  4. ^"What's Palin's Record on Native Issues?".Reznet.September 2, 2008. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
  5. ^abcdLee, Jeannette J. (May 27, 2007)."Todd Palin unique among nation's 5 first husbands".Anchorage Daily News(AP). Archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  6. ^Cooper, Carolyn Kraemer (2011).Sarah Palin: A Biography.ABC-CLIO. p. 32.ISBN978-0-313-37738-9.
  7. ^Even if Palin weren't running, this'd be a great Alaska tale | McClatchy DC
  8. ^"Yup'ik ties give Palins unique Alaska connection".Seattle Times.October 23, 2008.RetrievedAugust 23,2023.
  9. ^"Bristol Bay Native Association"(PDF).Bristol Bay Native Association.RetrievedAugust 23,2023.
  10. ^Kizzia, Tom (August 29, 2008)."In Alaska, Palin known for battling against long odds".McClatchy Newspapers.Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  11. ^abYardley, William (August 29, 2008)."Sarah Heath Palin, an Outsider Who Charms".nytimes.RetrievedAugust 30,2008.
  12. ^D'Oro, Rachel."Todd Palin resigns from oil job".Archived fromthe originalon October 7, 2009.RetrievedOctober 8,2009.
  13. ^Tapper, Jake (September 2, 2008)."Todd Palin, Longtime Former AIP Member".ABC News.RetrievedSeptember 2,2008.
  14. ^Vogel, Kenneth (August 29, 2008)."Palin's hubby and son not Republicans".The Politico.RetrievedSeptember 3,2008.
  15. ^Palin, Sarah(November 17, 2009).Going Rogue: An American Life.New York City:HarperCollins.p.384.ISBN978-0-06-193989-1.My husband... isn't registered with any party, for sound reasons, having been an eyewitness to the idiosyncrasies of party machines
  16. ^AC-SPAN video posted on YouTube of the address and Q&A following the address.The video was posted on February 6, 2010, and the quote about Todd Palin being registered to vote as an independent appears at 50:20 into the video
  17. ^Zernike, Katie (September 3, 2008)."Todd Palin: 'First dude' and right-hand man".New York Times.RetrievedOctober 30,2015.
  18. ^abcdLee, Jeanette (May 6, 2007)."'First dude' probably doesn't host many teas ".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  19. ^Dedman, Bill (February 7, 2009)."Palin e-mails reveal a powerful 'first dude'".NBC News.Archived fromthe originalon May 4, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 9,2009.
  20. ^Madden, Mike (September 2008).""Sarah Palin's powerful" First Dude "".Salon.Archived fromthe originalon September 18, 2008.
  21. ^Dedman, Bill (February 5, 2010)."Palin e-mails reveal a powerful 'first dude'; In Sarah Palin administration, her spouse was active in state business".NBC News. Archived fromthe originalon May 4, 2013.
  22. ^The e-mails are available in anonline searchable databaseArchivedFebruary 9, 2010, at theWayback Machinefrom msnbc.
  23. ^"National Governors Association".nga.org. Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2007.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  24. ^"Miss Alaska Scholarship Pageant".RetrievedAugust 31,2008.
  25. ^de Moraes, Lisa (June 19, 2012)."Todd Palin among those competing in NBC's reality series 'Stars Earn Stripes'".The Washington Post.RetrievedJuly 6,2012.
  26. ^Fritze, John (August 29, 2008)."Friends: VP choice has 'very strong' values".USA Today.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  27. ^"Todd Palin: Featured First Husband".snowweek.Archived fromthe originalon September 17, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  28. ^ab"Tesoro Iron Dog".irondog.org. Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  29. ^Mowry, Tim (February 18, 2008)."Despite broken arm, First Dude crosses Iron Dog finish in fourth".Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.Archived fromthe originalon August 31, 2008.RetrievedAugust 30,2008.
  30. ^Medred, Craig (February 15, 2008)."Todd Palin crashes in Iron Dog".Anchorage Daily News.Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  31. ^"Todd Palin receives minor injuries near Iron Dog checkpoint".ktuu. Archived fromthe originalon December 27, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  32. ^"Tesoro Iron Dog".irondog.org. Archived fromthe originalon May 11, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  33. ^"NBC Nightly New Twitter Feed".
  34. ^Todd Palin suffers collapsed lung, fractured ribs after crash,WTSP News, March 15, 2016
  35. ^ab"Monegan to Palin: 'Ma'am, I Need to Keep You at Arm's Length' – Washington Post Investigations".Voices.washingtonpost. Archived fromthe originalon September 1, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 2,2008.
  36. ^Michael Luo (August 29, 2008)."Investigators Are Looking at Governor About Firing".NYTimes.RetrievedAugust 31,2008.
  37. ^Philip Sherwell and Tim Shipman (August 30, 2008)."Sarah Palin poses 'Troopergate' risk to John McCain's US election bid".Telegraph.London.RetrievedAugust 31,2008.
  38. ^Yardley, William (September 13, 2008)."Active Role for Palin's Husband in Alaska Government".New York Times.
  39. ^ab Volz, Matt (September 18, 2008)."Palin's husband refuses to testify in probe".Anchorage Daily News.Archived fromthe originalon September 19, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 18,2008.
  40. ^Stephen Blanchflower Report to the Legislative CouncilAlaska Legislature, pdf download. October 10, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  41. ^"Troopergate Report: Palin Abused Power".Abcnews.go. October 11, 2008.RetrievedNovember 16,2010.
  42. ^Blanchflower Report,p. 66
  43. ^Blanchflower Report,p. 68
  44. ^Grier, Peter (August 30, 2008)."Sarah Palin, McCain's pick, forged maverick political path in Alaska".Christian Science Monitor.Archived fromthe originalon September 5, 2008.RetrievedSeptember 24,2008.
  45. ^Quinn, State of Alaska."3PA-07-08535MO State of Alaska vs. Palin, Bristol S".Alaska Trial Court Cases. Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 3,2008.
  46. ^"Mahalo facts on Trig Palin".
  47. ^"Welcome to Alaska, Trig Paxson Van Palin".ktuu. Archived fromthe originalon August 30, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  48. ^"Alaska governor gives birth to 5th child, a boy named Trig".bostonherald.Archived fromthe originalon August 30, 2008.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  49. ^Slater, Georgia (November 19, 2019)."Sarah Palin's Daughter Willow Welcomes Twin Girls Banks and Blaise: 'We Are So in Love'".PEOPLE.RetrievedDecember 15,2020.
  50. ^"National Governors Association".nga.org.Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2007.RetrievedAugust 29,2008.
  51. ^"FAA Registry: Airmen Certification Inquiry".FAA. Archived fromthe originalon May 27, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 2,2008.
  52. ^"FAA Registry: N-Number Inquiry".FAA. Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 7,2008.
  53. ^Thornburgh, Nathan (September 2, 2008)."Mayor Palin: A Rough Record – TIME".Time. Archived fromthe originalon September 2, 2008.RetrievedNovember 16,2010.
  54. ^"Sarah Palin's husband, Todd, files for divorce over 'incompatibility of temperament'".NBC News. September 9, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 9,2019.
  55. ^"Former VP candidate Sarah Palin finalizes divorce, records show".Today.March 2020.
  56. ^"Sarah Palin Finalizes Divorce from Todd Palin: Docket | PEOPLE".
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toTodd Palin.
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Nancy Murkowski
 First Gentleman of Alaska
December 4, 2006 – July 26, 2009 		Succeeded by
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