7/13/2010 -

ALPHARETTA, GA – Former Secretary of State and candidate for Governor Karen Handel’s campaign was endorsed today by former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin.

In her endorsement message on Facebook, Palin wrote:

Sarah Palin: Getting a Handel in Georgia benefits the state and, ultimately, the entire country.
Today at 12:30pm

I’m proud to lend my support to a great commonsense conservative woman running for Governor this year in the Peach State. My recent visit back to this beautiful area allowed me to meet more of the patriotic Americans who call Georgia home and who are ready for a reformer to help strengthen their families, businesses, state and, ultimately, our United States.

Karen Handel is that reformer. Throughout her career in public office – from serving as Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to Georgia’s Secretary of State – Karen has brought the common sense fiscal discipline and positive change in government that is needed now more than ever.

Though considered an underdog candidate (more power to her!), this pro-life, pro-Constitutionalist with a can-do attitude and a record of fighting for ethics in government is ready to serve in the Governor’s Office. She’ll balance budgets and help spur Georgia’s economy. Her plan will contribute to America’s roadmap which can benefit all of us.

Please join me in supporting this good conservative reformer who will work tirelessly for the Peach State. You can visit Karen Handel’s website at www.karenhandel.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

"I am humbled and truly excited to receive the endorsement of Governor Sarah Palin," Handel said. "She is a true Republican leader and conservative reformer who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she thinks is right. I am proud to have the Governor's support and I know it will have a tremendous impact on our campaign."

Statement from Brian Robinson, spokesman for the Deal for Governor campaign

It's disappointing that Sarah Palin has chosen to back the most liberal Republican in this race. In past races, Karen Handel endorsed taxpayer-funded domestic partner benefits and gay adoption -- and she's been caught lying about it. Just last night, Handel finally admitted she'd written a check to a gay rights group -- when previously she said the check was a forgery and she never lived at that address. As Fulton Commission chair, Handel voted to give taxpayer dollars to "Youth Pride" which did outreach to gay and "questioning" kids as young as 13 and funded seminars such as "Unsung Heroes of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community" - this was during a budget crisis. We do hope that the former governor will look at the record and reconsider, or explain to conservative Georgia Republican primary voters why she's endorsing Handel in light of these well-documented facts and Handel's clumsy effort to cover them up.