WATERLOO - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's resignation Friday took Republican leaders in the Cedar Valley and Iowa by surprise.

Palin announced she would step down July 26, offering hints about her reasoning.

"This decision comes after much consideration, and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children," she said.

Later she noted her difficulty in reaching a conclusion.

"I love my job and I love Alaska. It hurts to make this choice, but I am doing what's best for Alaska," she said.

"I've explained why … though I think of the saying on my parents' refrigerator that says, 'Don't explain: Your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway,'" Palin said.

Media reports focused on speculation Palin - who ran for vice president as Sen. John McCain's running mate in 2008 - would concentrate on a bid for the White House in 2012.

"I'm shocked and amazed," said Steve Schmitt, a member of the Waterloo City Council and former Black Hawk County GOP chairman. "I sure never saw this coming. I'm guessing there must be more story than we're aware of."

Don Wood, GOP chairman in Black Hawk County, was also surprised.

Wood said Palin has the charisma to lead the party into the 2012 race, though he declined to speculate on whether she would run or why she opted to resign.

"When I met her and saw her at the Cedar Rapids rally, I had a positive image and reaction to her, but the crowd's enthusiasm was almost unlike anything I've ever seen," Wood said.

He remembers the reaction of young people in the crowd that day in November.

"I tried to take a picture of a friend of mine next to Sarah, and I couldn't get close enough because of the young women who wanted to touch her," Wood said.

He added Palin has something that "radiates" from her.

"She's one of those magical people. One the Democratic side, John F. Kennedy had it. He walked into a room, and everybody seemed mesmerized," Wood said.

The Palin announcement caught many in the party, including Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, by surprise. Grassley, who on Friday was in Cedar Rapids, said he thought stepping down as governor likely would not help Palin if she decides to make a presidential run.

Rep. Doris Kelley of Waterloo, a former Republican, agreed with that assessment.

"She was at least more visible; I would not do that," Kelley said. "I would have seen her staying right in that position."

Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, the Iowa House minority leader, said the former vice presidential candidate has plenty of support to be the party's standard-bearer.

"Based on what I know now, I think there are many who think that's the case," Paulsen said.

Greg Tagtow, GOP vice chairman in Black Hawk County, said Palin's decision surprised even Alaska's representatives in Washington, D.C.

"I'm curious to hear more reasoning, whether it's personal or some other thing in the works," Tagtow said.

He believes resigning could free Palin to make "a real solid run" at the White House in 2012.

"I supposed you'd need a lot of pre-campaign time to do your running around," he said. "I know she would not want to take that time away from her people in Alaska."