Trump backs Sarah Palin's bid for Congress

Former President Donald Trump backed Sarah Palin for Congress on Sunday, saying he's repaying the favor after she endorsed him "early" in his presidential campaign.

Palin, the former governor of Alaska and McCain's vice presidential running mate in 2008, declared her candidacy for Alaska's single congressional seat on Friday.

Since the death last month of GOP Rep. Don Young, who had held the seat for over 50 years, the position has been vacant.

Trump thanked Palin for supporting him for president in 2016 in a statement distributed through his Save America political action group.

"When Sarah endorsed me early in 2016, it surprised a lot of people, and we won big," Trump remarked. "It's now my turn! Sarah has been a strong advocate for Alaska values, energy, jobs, and the wonderful people of Alaska."

Trump also praised Young, describing him as "legendary."

McCain, Palin's running partner 14 years ago, was a vehement opponent, especially when he voted against Trump's long-standing push to dismantle former President Barack Obama's health-care program in 2017.

Trump didn't mention the senator by name in his comments on Sunday. McCain died on August 25, 2018, after surviving enemy torture during the Vietnam War.

Palin "lifted the McCain presidential campaign out of the doldrums," Trump remarked, calling her a "America First fighter."

During the campaign, she had to deal with "some extremely cruel, foolish, and jealous people," according to the former president.

""They wanted to kill her," he added, "but she wouldn't let it happen." Sarah Palin is a tough and astute politician who will not back down."

Palin, 58, attacked Obama personally and claimed that she didn't read much during the 2008 campaign. Palin's anti-elite, nationalism-based politics, according to some, paved the way for Trump and others, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.

McCain claimed he regretted picking Palin as his running mate ten years after his losing presidential campaign.

Palin is running in a special election to fill Young's seat for a few months before a regular election.