Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is the first Republican woman to be put on a Presidential ticket.

Friday Senator John McCain announced that Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin is his running mate. It was rumored that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was going to be McCain's pick, but in a surprise move McCain announced that the 44 year old mother of five was joining him on the campaign trail. 

South Dakota Repubilcan Representative Shantel Krebs says Governor Sarah Palin has a lot in common with South Dakotans because the Alaskan Governor hunts and fishes and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. 

But outside of her interests, Palin is the first Republican woman on a Presidential ticket. Setting up a historic vote for South Dakotans and Americans in November. 

Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin may be a political unknown, but over the next few months, she'll be in the spotlight as she tries to become the first woman to serve as Vice President. 

Minnehaha County Commissioner Carol Twedt says, "I don't even like to think that there is a glass ceiling anymore." 

Minnehaha County Commissioner Carol Twedt is excited for the pick because it sets up a historic election. 

Twedt says, "I say horray for Americans right now because on the morning after the election we will either have a Black person as a President or a woman as the Vice President, and I think that's an incredible thing for us to look forward to as Americans." 

For Republican State Representative Shantel Krebs it's not the fact that Palin is a woman that excites her. 

Republican South Dakota Representative Shantel Krebs says, "So I'm really excited. Not because who she is but because of what she's done, and that's with any candidate. We've got to see what they have done, what are they going to accomplish?" 

Palin is pro-life, an opponent of same-sex marriage, and supports drilling for domestic oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. 

Krebs says, "And she supports drilling in her own backyard, so someone that's been focused on energy but also protecting the environment. I think that's pretty impressive as who would know best on drilling and energy while also protecting her backyard." 

And over the next few months voters will continue to learn more about Palin and her plan if she's elected as Vice President.

Krebs says heard Palin speak last year when she was in South Dakota during a Western Governor's Association meeting in Deadwood.