Former Alaska Gov . Sarah Palin snubbed home state Republicans this year , instead endorsing an independent candidate for governor and his Democratic running mate for lieutenant governor . Republican-turned independent candidate Bill Walker posted a photo on Facebook on Thursday of himself , Sarah Palin and his Democratic running-mate Byron Mallott , all of whom are sporting Walker-Mallott pins . `` People and progress over politics , '' the caption reads . Palin hosted an event for Walker and Mallott -- billing themselves as the `` Unity Ticket '' -- in her Wasilla home . Her across-the-aisle endorsement is a jab at incumbent Republican Gov . Sean Parnell , who served as Palin 's lieutenant governor when she was the head of the Alaskan state government from 2006 to 2009 . Though they worked together for some time , Palin and Parnell have been rivals ever since a policy dispute erupted shortly after Palin resigned from office and Parnell took her place . During her tenure as governor , Palin increased oil taxes in the state , a revenue generator for Alaska heralded by the 2008 vice presidential candidate as one of her biggest achievements . But Parnell dismantled the tax , causing a divide between the former coworkers . Voters took up the oil tax issue in a state-wide ballot initiative which ended up failing , leaving Parnell 's repeal in place . Parnell and Palin , both Republicans , campaigned aggressively during the voter referendum -- on opposing sides . The Alaska governor race is considered a toss-up , with some polls giving Walker a small advantage . And it 's unclear whether Palin 's endorsement will help Walker : 54 percent of likely voters have an unfavorable view of the former governor , according to a survey from Public Policy Polling last month , a number which has steadily increased ever since she abruptly stepped down five years ago . The same poll shows her favorable rating at a mere 32 percent .
Chris Mallott is a Democrat running for lieutenant governor in Alaska . Mallott is the running mate to indepedent governor hopeful Brian Walker . Pallin has long had a dispute with Alaska 's current governor , Democrat Sean Parnell . Palin 's approval numbers in her home state are low .