UPDATED Saturday, July 4, 2009 --- 2:05 p.m.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Outgoing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is staying out of the public eye after her surprise announcement that she will leave office more than a year before her term is complete.

Her spokesman, David Murrow, confirms Palin is in Juneau this weekend for the state capital's Fourth of July celebrations. But she hasn't appeared at any public events.

Palin shocked even her closest friends Friday when she called a news conference at her house in suburban Wasilla, outside Anchorage, and said she planned to step down as Alaska governor on July 26.

Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will take her place.

Palin hasn't given many details about her future plans, leaving open the possibility she would seek the presidency in 2012.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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Posted Friday, July 3, 2009 --- 3:15 p.m.

By RACHEL D'ORO
Associated Press Writer

WASILLA, Alaska (AP) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says she is resigning from office.

She didn't say why she decided to step down, but the surprise announcement stirred speculation that she would focus on a bid for the 2012 Republican nomination for president.

The former Republican vice presidential candidate made the announcement from her home in suburban Wasilla on Friday morning. She said she would step down July 26.

Spokesman Dave Murrow says Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month.

Palin was first elected in 2006 on a populist platform. But her popularity has waned as she waged in partisan politics following her return from the presidential campaign.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.