Former US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has formally resigned as Alaska governor, 18 months before the end of her term in office.

美国前副总统候选人Sarah Palin正式退出阿拉斯加州长一职，距她任期结束还有18个月的时间。

Mrs Palin hosts a picnic in Alaska, which she has governed since 2006

She announced her resignation abruptly¹（突然地） on 3 July, leading to speculation²（沉思，推测） of a bid for the presidency³ in 2012.

She handed over to Alaska's Lieutenant⁴ Governor Sean Parnell at a picnic ceremony in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Mrs Palin, who is dogged（顽固的，顽强的） by ethics⁵ probes and legal bills, has given few clues about her political future.

She has signed a book deal and reports say she could host a television chat show.

'No plan'

But a spokeswoman for the Palin family has dismissed the claims.

"I cannot express enough there is no plan after July 26. There is absolutely no plan," Meghan Stapleton told The Associated Press news agency.

"[On Monday] we'll sit down and say, 'OK, here are your options. How do you now want to effect that positive change for Alaska from outside the role as governor?'," Ms Stapleton added.

Mrs Palin, 45, shot to fame as John McCain's Republican running mate in the election of November 2008, becoming a lightning rod（避雷针） for praise and criticism alike.

She said a major factor in her decision to quit as Alaska's governor was the mounting legal cost she and the state faced in fighting nearly 20 ethics charges.

But she has insisted her opponents would not "find any dirt".

However, an independent state investigator⁶ says her legal-defence fund - formed to help pay more than $500,000 (£304,000) in lawyers' fees - is itself an ethics violation⁷ because it uses her government job for personal financial benefit.

Her popularity rating has fallen to 40% in the wake of her resignation, a Washington Post-ABC poll showed.

But her supporters defend her as an outstanding leader with a strong Christian⁸ faith and unwavering support for her family.