Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), whose recent actions angered Alaska Natives, will step down on July 26.

Palin is not running for re-election so she said she'd rather leave office than stay in a "Lame Duck" status. Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell (R) will serve the remainder of her term.

Palin rose to national prominence during the 2008 presidential campaign. She touted her husband's Alaska Native roots but tribal leaders and advocates said she worked against their interests.

Palin appealed, but lost, a major Alaska Native subsistence case last year. She then nominated an attorney general who did not believe in tribal sovereignty or support subsistence rights. The nominee was defeated by Alaska lawmakers after Alaska Native leaders complained.

Also last year, Palin fired the first Alaska Native to serve as the state's top public safety official. Her husband had pressured the official to fire a state trooper.

Palin is rumored to be considering a run for the presidency in 2012.

Get the Story:
Palin to resign as Alaska governor (The Anchorage Daily News 7/3)

Related Stories:
Alaska attorney general nominee has Native ties (6/17)
Failed Alaska nominee signed land-into-trust letter (5/11)
Alaska lawmakers reject attorney general nominee (4/17)
Editorial: Bigotry an issue for Alaska attorney general pick (4/16)
Alaska nominee grilled on Native rights issues (4/9)
Editorial: Alaska nominee's past views not an issue (4/8)
Alaska nominee won't discuss tribal sovereignty (4/3)
Alaska Natives oppose state attorney general pick (4/1)