“Qualified” is an interesting word for Palin. Having white skin doesn’t automatically make you more qualified than a Native.
Yes, she was Governor, but she resigned midway through her term to pursue other opportunities in the Lower 48 (for which many Alaskans still resent her), and she hasn’t held elected office since 2009.
More items in the non-exhaustive list of reasons voters might not pick her: Her reality TV antics, her not being plugged into Alaska-specific issues, her showboaty personality, her abrasive White Christian Nationalist MAGA brand of politics (which only travels so far in the waters of Alaska’s unique stream of conservatism), and at this point, her *lack* of qualifications.
She lost despite raising and spending way more than the other candidates in the field. Perhaps there’s a reason why other than shouting “raaaayyyyycism”?
So, her comeback tour has failed for now. But this is just a special election. She’ll get another crack at it in November!