Sarah Palin at Tea Party Rally
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin spoke to supporters at a Tea Party rally in Indianola, Iowa, on Sept. 3. Reuters

Sarah Palin announced Wednesday she will not run for president in 2012, putting an end to months of speculation.

Palin, fighting off explosive allegations an unauthorised biography, "The Rogue," explained in a statement she had decided not to run as "family comes first".

"After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for president of the United States," she also said.

The book by Joe McGinniss tarnished her image as a traditional family woman by charging she once snorted cocaine off a 55- gallon oil drum while snowmobiling with friends, smoked marijuana and had sex with a basketball star and an affair with her husband's business partner.

PALIN'S STATEMENT IN FULL

October 5, 2011

Wasilla, Alaska

After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP nomination for President of the United States. As always, my family comes first and obviously Todd and I put great consideration into family life before making this decision. When we serve, we devote ourselves to God, family and country. My decision maintains this order.

My decision is based upon a review of what common sense Conservatives and Independents have accomplished, especially over the last year. I believe that at this time I can be more effective in a decisive role to help elect other true public servants to office - from the nation's governors to Congressional seats and the Presidency. We need to continue to actively and aggressively help those who will stop the "fundamental transformation" of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law.

From the bottom of my heart I thank those who have supported me and defended my record throughout the years, and encouraged me to run for President. Know that by working together we can bring this country back - and as I've always said, one doesn't need a title to help do it.

I will continue driving the discussion for freedom and free markets, including in the race for President where our candidates must embrace immediate action toward energy independence through domestic resource developments of conventional energy sources, along with renewables. We must reduce tax burdens and onerous regulations that kill American industry, and our candidates must always push to minimize government to strengthen the economy and allow the private sector to create jobs.

Those will be our priorities so Americans can be confident that a smaller, smarter government that is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people can better serve this most exceptional nation.

In the coming weeks I will help coordinate strategies to assist in replacing the President, re-taking the Senate, and maintaining the House.

Thank you again for all your support. Let's unite to restore this country!

God bless America.

Sarah Palin