It’s not surprising that Sarah Huckabee Sanders, daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, has found her way back into the political spotlight. After announcing her candidacy for governor of Arkansas in January 2021, she made headlines again—this time not as a spokesperson, but as a candidate. In an eight-minute campaign video, she leaned heavily on her time serving as White House press secretary under former President Donald Trump. “I took on the media, the radical left, and their ‘cancel culture,’ and I won,” she declared confidently. Promising to be “your voice” as governor, Sanders made it clear she wasn’t stepping away from her combative political style.
Yet, one can’t help but wonder: Was this political ambition always part of her plan? Considering her family background and early involvement in campaigns, the answer seems to be yes.
Politics from the Start
Sarah Huckabee Sanders was raised in a deeply political environment. According to The New York Times, she spent her childhood evenings sorting through polling data alongside her father and his campaign team. Reflecting on those experiences, she acknowledged, “Looking back, that was probably not the most normal thing in the world.”
She played key roles in both of her father’s presidential campaigns. In 2008, she contributed to his win in the Iowa caucus, and by 2016, she had stepped into the role of campaign manager. Although that second run was short-lived, she viewed the experience with humility and humor, telling The New York Times, “That didn’t go so well.” Nevertheless, her early exposure to political life—and the influence of her father—clearly laid the groundwork for her own ambitions.
Balancing Faith, Family, and Politics
While she forged her own path in politics, Sanders stayed closely aligned with the Christian values that defined her upbringing. However, her role as Trump’s press secretary often placed her in morally complicated territory. She admitted in a 2017 interview that she didn’t always support Trump’s rhetoric: “I certainly didn’t approve of a couple of the comments,” she said. But she defended her loyalty to the office by adding, “We were looking for a commander-in-chief, not a pastor.”
Sanders often used her personal life—particularly her experience as a mother—as a way to connect with the public. She made history as the first mother to serve as White House press secretary, juggling the demands of three young children and one of the most intense jobs in Washington. Despite criticism from some journalists who grew tired of her anecdotes about parenting chaos, she stood firm: “That’s just kind of who I am.”
Eventually, the toll became too great. She stepped down from her position, citing a desire to spend more time with her family. It was a rare moment of personal prioritization in a high-stakes political career.
Transitioning to Television
After leaving the White House, Sanders quickly found a new platform. She joined Fox News as a contributor, which, while unexpected to some, felt like a natural next step to others. “Fox News has been the number one news organization in the country for 17 years running, and I am beyond proud to join their incredible stable of on-air contributors in providing political insights and analysis,” she said in an official statement in 2019.
Her move to the conservative network raised some eyebrows, especially among those critical of the revolving door between political communication and television commentary. As The New York Times reporter Niraj Chokshi pointed out, her new role at Fox further underscored the tight relationship between the network and the Trump administration. He also noted that the transition from White House press secretary to TV personality had precedent, citing figures like George Stephanopoulos and Jay Carney.
Backed by Trump and Ready for Arkansas
When Sarah Huckabee Sanders resigned from her White House role, she did so with the full support of then-President Trump. He praised her as “tough” and “a warrior,” even publicly encouraging her to run for governor of Arkansas. “She is a very special person with extraordinary talents, who has done an incredible job!” he tweeted. “I hope she runs for Governor of Arkansas; she’d be fantastic.”
She eventually answered that call, and not surprisingly, received Trump’s official endorsement when she announced her campaign. In his statement, he reaffirmed his support by calling her “a warrior who will always fight for Arkansas’s people and do what is right, not what is politically correct.” He highlighted her positions on crime, immigration, and support for law enforcement—key pillars of her political platform.
While it remains to be seen how much weight Trump’s endorsement will carry in the long run, Sarah Huckabee Sanders has positioned herself as a strong contender, blending her family legacy with a brand of politics that appeals to a significant portion of the Republican base. As the saying goes, the apple truly doesn’t fall far from the tree.
