Sen. John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate is a bold and surprising choice that makes this year’s presidential election all the more groundbreaking, a University of Indianapolis professor says.

“It’s certainly historic for the Republican Party,” says Edward “Ted” Frantz, associate professor of history at UIndy. “This is a landmark election that will be studied throughout American history.”

Palin, 44, is a mother of five, a former television reporter and a former Miss Alaska contestant with a bit of a maverick reputation among her state’s GOP leaders. Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty and Tom Ridge were among the more traditional choices favored by pundits.

“Except for the extreme insiders, I don’t think anybody anticipated this,” Frantz said.

Palin’s youth may appeal to voters who otherwise have been attracted to Barack Obama’s youth-oriented campaign, Frantz said. And her gender might inspire support from Democrats who have not yet warmed up to Obama.

“I think it’s designed for those disaffected Hillary voters,” Frantz said.

The announcement will spark fresh attention to the McCain campaign, he noted, but it also comes at the start of a long holiday weekend, during which voters are less likely to be focused on the race.