Sarah Palin endorses … a Democrat?

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R) is endorsing independent Bill Walker and Democrat Byron Mallott for governor and lieutenant governor of Alaska. 

{mosads}Palin and husband Todd are shown donning Walker-Mallott campaign pins in photos uploaded to the campaign’s Facebook page Thursday. The page notes that “crossing all political spectrums,” Walker and Mallott are “pleased” to have the Palins’ support. 

The campaign said Palin endorsed the pair, who last month joined on a single ticket, at a reception she hosted Tuesday night. The former governor believes they will best develop the state’s resources, the campaign added.

The endorsement is also a snub to the incumbent Republican Gov. Sean Parnell, who served as Palin’s lieutenant governor and took over as governor in 2009, after Palin stepped down. But the two have long been at odds over the state’s oil tax laws.

Her decision to leave the governor’s office before her term ended angered many Alaskans.

A survey from left-leaning Public Policy Polling last month found 54 percent of likely voters in the state have an unfavorable view of the former governor, while 32 percent view her favorably.

A Fox News poll earlier this month found Parnell leading Walker 42 percent to 37 percent among likely voters. The race is considered a toss-up, with other polls also giving Walker a single-digit advantage.