Todd Palin

Infobox Person
name = Todd Palin

---

image_size =
caption =
birth_name = Todd Mitchell Palin
birth_date = birth date and age|mf=yes|1964|09|06
birth_place = Dillingham, Alaska, USA
death_date =
death_place =
death_cause =
resting_place =
resting_place_coordinates =
residence =
nationality = American
ethnicity =
citizenship = United States
other_names =
known_for = Champion Iron Dog snow machine racer, husband of Alaska governor Sarah Palin
education = Graduate, Wasilla High School
alma_mater =
employer = BP
occupation = Homemaker
Oil field production workercite web|url=http://iht.com/articles/2008/08/31/america/palin.php?page=2 |title=Palin carved her own path in Alaska - International Herald Tribune |publisher=Iht.com |author= |date= |accessdate=2008-09-02] Commercial fisherman
home_town = Wasilla, Alaska
title =
salary =
networth =
height =
weight =
term =
predecessor =
successor =
party = Alaskan Independence Party (1996-2000), Republican (2002 to present)Tucker Bounds. [http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/09/04/costello.todd.palin.cnn "Meet the "First Dude", by Carol Costello, CNN video, 9/4/08] . Retrieved 2008-09-13. "Todd Palin is a registered Republican that re-registered with a 3rd party for a time,..."]
boards =
religion = Christian
spouse = Sarah Palin
partner =
children = Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, Trig (citation required)
parents = James and Blanche Palin
relations =
callsign =


website =
footnotes =

Todd Mitchell Palin (born September 6, 1964) [cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0908/Todd_Palin_A_celebrity_in_his_own_right.html|title=Todd Palin: A celebrity in his own right|last=Martin|first=Jonathan|date=2008-09-06|work=Jonathan Martin's Blog|publisher=Politico.com|accessdate=2008-09-07] is an American oil field production operator and the current First Gentleman (self-styled "First Dude") [cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/politics/03todd.html|title=A Low-Key Outdoorsman and Family Man Now Faces a National Role|publisher=The New York Times|date=2008-09-02|accessdate=2008-09-03|last=Zernike|first=Kate] of Alaska. He is the husband of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the 2008 Vice Presidential nominee of the Republican Party.

Early life

Todd Palin was born in Dillingham, Alaska, to James F. "Jim" Palin and his first wife, Blanche (Roberts) Kallstrom.cite news|url=http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8924080p-8824177c.html|title=Todd Palin unique among nation's 5 first husbands|last=Lee|first=Jeannette J.|date=2007-05-27|work=Associated Press|accessdate=2008-08-29] His father, a native of Seattle, Washington,cite web|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008151136_palin01m0.html |title=Nation & World Palin's swift rise wins both admirers, enemies Seattle Times Newspaper |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |author=Hal Bernton |date= |accessdate=2008-09-02] is a former general manager of Matanuska Electrical Association. [cite web |url=http://www.matsugov.us/press/files/08TriBoroEnergyRelease.pdf |title=Tri-Borough mayors Call for State Energy Policy |accessdate=2008-09-02 |date=2008-02-29 |publisher=Tri-Borough Commission] His mother, a former secretary of the Alaska Federation of Natives, is one-quarter Yup'ik, and his maternal grandmother, Helena (Bartman) Andree, is a member of the Curyung tribe. [cite news|url= http://www.sitnews.us/1006Viewpoints/101106_karen_rhoades.html |title=Sarah Palin on Native people |first=Karen |last=Rhoades |work=SitNews |date=October 11, 2006 |accessdate=2008-09-01]

Education

Palin is a graduate of Wasilla High School, Wasilla, Alaska. He has taken some college courses but does not have a degree.

Career

Palin is a union member belonging to the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (United Steelworkers). [cite news | url=http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/08/29/CAMPAIGN_PALIN_odds.html | title=In Alaska, Palin known for battling against long odds | author=Kizzia, Tom | publisher=McClatchy Newspapers | date=2008-08-29 | accessdate=2008-08-29]

For 18 years, he worked for BP in the North Slope oil fields of Alaska. In 2007, in order to avoid a conflict of interest relating to his wife's position as governor, he took a leave from his job as production supervisor when his employer became involved in natural gas pipeline negotiations with his wife's administration. 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.cite web|last=Yardley |first=William|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/politics/30palin.html?pagewanted=1&hp|title=Sarah Heath Palin, an Outside Who Charms |work=nytimes.com |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-08-30]

He is also a commercial salmon fisherman at Bristol Bay on the Nushugak River. Financial statements filed in 2007 show that Palin earned $92,790 from BP and fishing.

Public life

Palin first registered to vote in 1989. From 1995 to 2002 he was registered to vote as a member of the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party.cite web|last=Tapper |first=Jack |url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/the-alaska-divi.html|title=Todd Palin, Longtime Former AIP Member|publisher=ABC News|date=2008-09-02 |accessdate=2008-09-02] In late August 2008, The Politico reported that Palin was registered to vote as an independent ("undeclared"), and had never registered as a Republican. [cite news |first=Kenneth |last=Vogel |title=Palin’s hubby and son not Republicans |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12989.html |work=The Politico |publisher= |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-09-03 ] In early September 2008, a spokesman for John McCain said Palin was now a registered Republican.

As First Gentleman, Palin has encouraged young Alaskans who cannot afford college to consider jobs in the oil and gas industry as an effective training ground and has advised the Governor on workforce development issues for the natural gas pipeline she supports.cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/may/06/news/adna-dude6|title=‘First dude’ probably doesn’t host many teas|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2007-05-06|accessdate=2008-08-29|last=Lee | first=Jeanette ] He is a community volunteer working in youth sports, coaching hockey and basketball. [cite web|url=http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.1b395dd52847da4f9d28aca9501010a0/?vgnextoid=01de98218935f010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD |title=National Governors Association |publisher=nga.org |accessdate=2008-08-29]

Gregg Erickson, columnist for the Anchorage Daily News, said that Palin "obviously plays an important role ... I've seen him in the governor's office, and I know she's conducted interviews in the governor's office with him present." Palin is copied on e-mails dealing with official state business. He helped write the state budget, has been involved in personnel matters, and has called lawmakers when he or his wife have disagreed with what they have done. [Mike Madden, [http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/09/16/todd_palin/print.html "Sarah Palin's powerful "First Dude"] , "Salon" magazine, September 2008]

Palin was a judge in the 2008 Miss Alaska pageant. [cite web|url=http://www.missalaskapageant.com/ |title=Miss Alaska Scholarship Pageant |accessdate=2008-08-31]

Champion snowmobile racer

In 2008, convert|400|mi|km|sp=us from defending his Tesoro Iron Dog championship, he was injured and broke his arm [ cite news|url=http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/021808/sta_248201772.shtml|title=Despite broken arm, First Dude crosses Iron Dog finish in fourth|work=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner|accessdate=2008-08-30|date=2008-02-18|author=Mowry, Tim] when he was thrown 70 feet [ cite news|url=http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/316352.html|title=Todd Palin crashes in Iron Dog|work=Anchorage Daily News|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2008-02-15|author=Medred, Craig] from his machine. [cite web|url=http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=7880854 |title= Todd Palin receives minor injuries near Iron Dog checkpoint |publisher=ktuu.com |accessdate=2008-08-29] He was sent to the hospital but managed to finish in fourth place. [cite web|url=http://www.irondog.org/results/archives/historical.php |title=Tesoro Iron Dog |publisher=irondog.org |accessdate=2008-08-29] This race is the world's longest [cite news | url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-08-29-palinprofile_N.htm | title=Friends: VP choice has 'very strong' values | author=Fritze, John | work=USA Today | date=2008-08-29 | accessdate=2008-08-29] snowmobile race which traces the path of the Iditarod race with an extra journey of several hundred miles to Fairbanks added. He first competed in the race in 1993 and has been the champion four times. His racing teamate is Scott Davis. [cite web|url=https://www.snowweek.com/output.cfm?id=1247725 |title=Todd Palin: Featured First Husband |work=snowweek.com |accessdate=2008-08-29] He has previously raced with Dusty Van Meter in the race, and they were co-champions in 2000 and 2002. [cite web|url=http://www.irondog.org/results/archives.htm |title=Tesoro Iron Dog |publisher=irondog.org |accessdate=2008-08-29]

Family life

In 1988, Palin eloped with his high school sweetheart, Sarah Louise Heath.cite news | title | url=http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2008/09/01/sarah-palin-mccains-pick-forged-maverick-political-path-in-alaska/ | title=Sarah Palin, McCain’s pick, forged maverick political path in Alaska | last=Grier | first=Peter | publisher=Christian Science Monitor | date=August 30, 2008 | accessdate=2008-09-24] The Palins have five children, two boys and three girls. The two sons are Track CJ (born 1989), who has enlisted in the United States Army and deployed to Iraq on September 11, 2008, and Trig Paxson Van (born 2008), [cite web|url=http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=8194634 |title=Welcome to Alaska, Trig Paxson Van Palin |publisher=ktuu.com |accessdate=2008-08-29] who has Down syndrome [cite web|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/west/view.bg?articleid=1088213 |title=Alaska governor gives birth to 5th child, a boy named Trig |work=bostonherald.com |accessdate=2008-08-29] . His three daughters are Bristol (born 1990),cite web
url=http://courtrecords.alaska.gov/pa/ep.urd/pamw2000.o_party_sum?44738506|1
title=3PA-07-08535MO State of Alaska vs. Palin, Bristol S
publisher=Alaska Trial Court Clases
author=Quinn, State of Alaska
date=
accessdate=2008-09-03] Willow (born 1995), and Piper Indy (born 2001). On September 1, 2008 it was announced that Bristol was five months pregnant and intended to keep the baby and marry the father of her child, Levi Johnston. [cite web | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/01/AR2008090100710.html?nav=rss_nation |title=No Surprises From Palin, McCain Team Says | work=Washington Post | author=Shear, Michael D. and Karl Vick | accessdate=2008-09-02 ]

Palin fishes and is a pilot, [cite web|url=http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.1b395dd52847da4f9d28aca9501010a0/?vgnextoid=01de98218935f010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD |title=National Governors Association |work=nga.org |accessdate=2008-08-29] holding a Private Pilot Certificate. [cite web |url=https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/ |title=FAA Regsitry: Airmen Certification Inquiry |publisher=FAA |accessdate=2008-09-02] He also owns his own aircraft, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub. [cite web | url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnumsql.asp?NNumbertxt=8194D| title=FAA Registry: N-Number Inquiry |publisher=FAA |accessdate=2008-09-07]

Palin's stepmother, Faye Palin, ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for the position of Mayor for Wasilla, Alaska, to succeed Palin's wife, Sarah, who was term-limited. Faye Palin, who is pro-choice and a registered Democrat, lost to a candidate endorsed by Sarah Palin. [cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1837918,00.html |title=Mayor Palin: A Rough Record - TIME |publisher=Time.com |author=Tuesday, Sep. 02, 2008 By NATHAN THORNBURGH / WASILLA, ALASKA |date=Tuesday, Sep. 02, 2008 |accessdate=2008-09-03]

Involvement in controversy

Todd Palin's name has appeared in news reports regarding the firing of Commissioner Walter Monegan and the actions of Alaska State Trooper Mike Wooten.cite web|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/08/monegan_to_palin_maam_i_need_t.html |title=Monegan to Palin: 'Ma'am, I Need to Keep You at Arm's Length' - Washington Post Investigations |publisher=Voices.washingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=2008-09-02] [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/politics/30trooper.html?ref=us |title=Investigators Are Looking at Governor About Firing |publisher=NYTimes.com |author=Michael Luo |date=August 29, 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-31] [cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2651820/Sarah-Palin-poses-Troopergate-risk-to-John-McCains-US-election-bid.html |title=Sarah Palin poses 'Troopergate' risk to John McCain's US election bid |publisher=Telegraph |author=Philip Sherwell and Tim Shipman |date=August 30, 2008 |accessdate=2008-08-31] At one point, Todd Palin brought information prepared by himself and a private investigator to Monegan.

On September 12, 2008, the Alaska Legislature subpoenaed Palin to testify on his role in the controversy. [cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14todd.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin|title=Active Role for Palin’s Husband in Alaska Government|publisher=New York Times|date=September 13, 2008|first=William|last=Yardley] On September 18, the McCain/Palin campaign announced that Todd Palin would refuse to testify because he does not believe the investigation is legitimate.cite news
title=Palin's husband refuses to testify in probe
first=Matt
last=Volz
work=Anchorage Daily News
url=http://www.adn.com/palin/story/530493.html
date=2008-09-18
accessdate=2008-09-18] State senator Bill Wielechowski said that the witnesses could not be punished for disobeying the subpoenas until the full legislature comes into session, which is scheduled to be in January 2009.

References