ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN)  -- He's the man Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin affectionately calls her "first dude." Todd Palin, who grew up in Alaska, is a former oilfield worker and world-record holding snowmobile racer. Todd Palin was introduced to the nation at the Republican National Convention as a blue-collar oil worker, a laid-back father of five and a world-record-holding snowmobile racer. Todd and Sarah met in high school at a basketball game and eloped in 1988, six years after graduation. Todd grew up in Alaska and is part Eskimo. He's an avid outdoorsman and champion of the Iron Dog snowmobile race.
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Todd Palin grew up in Alaska, is part Eskimo and a champion snowmobile racer
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He met Sarah Palin during high school and eloped in 1998; They have five children
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Palin, his wife's closest adviser, was copied on hundreds of state e-mails
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Campaign claims spousal privilege, says "role has not been inappropriate"
The campaign also confirms that Todd Palin has taken two trips with state commissioners to survey @placeholder mines and one to survey part of the proposed route for a natural gas pipeline, his wife's top goal.