The first woman to run on a Republican Presidential ticket (and the second woman, after 1984 Democratic candidate Geraldine Ferraro, to run for Vice President for a major party), John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin was also the first-ever female governor of Alaska — and its youngest when she was sworn in at age 42 in 2006. Born in Idaho, Palin's family moved her to Alaska as an infant, where she grew up in Wasilla, a small town of fewer than 9,000, located 45 miles north of Anchorage. She first entered politics in 1992, winning a seat on the Wasilla City Council, before going on to become the town's mayor four years later at age 32. After two terms in office, she earned statewide recognition by pursuing the nomination for lieutenant governor — which she lost by only 2,000 votes. Palin has no national experience and less than two years experience as governor, but she is unabashed about that. "That's a healthy thing," she told TIME. "That means my perspective is fresher."