Sarah Palin Resigns as Alaska Governor

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has announced she will be stepping down from her post as the state's highest-ranking official on July 26 and will not seek re-election to a second term in 2010. In a press conference held in her Wasilla, Alaska, hometown Friday, Palin -- who has 18 months left in her first term of office -- said she would be devoting more time to her family, though political insiders also speculate she is shifting her focus onto a 2012 bid for president. See the day's top celeb news photos. "I never believed that I nor anyone else needs a title to do this, to make a difference," Palin, flanked by her husband, Todd, told reporters . "I'm determined to take the right path for Alaska, even though it is unconventional and it's not so comfortable." Palin, 45, announced that the state's Lt. Governor Sean Parnell would assume the role of Alaska's chief executive at the end of the month. Earlier this spring it was announced Palin -- who served as Arizona Sen. John McCain's vice ... (link)