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Levi Johnston to join Palin family at convention
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-03 09:01

WASILLA, Alaska -- The boyfriend of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's unwed, pregnant daughter will join the family of the Republican vice presidential candidate at the party's convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

US Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) (C) and her family members are seen in this 2007 handout photo. Clockwise, starting with Governor Palin at center, husband Todd, daughter Bristol, daughter Piper, daughter Willow and son Track. [Agencies]

Levi Johnston's mother said her 18-year-old son left Alaska on Tuesday morning to join the Palin family at the convention where Sen. John McCain will officially receive the Republican nomination for president.

The boy's mother, Sherry Johnston, said there had been no pressure put on her son to marry 17-year-old Bristol Palin and the two teens had made plans to wed before it was known she was pregnant.

"This is just a bonus," Johnston said.

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The young man's presence could set off a media frenzy around the young couple as photographers and cameramen scramble for pictures of the two teenagers.

On Monday, Palin and her husband, Todd, said their 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, planned to have the baby and wed a young man identified only as Levi. The family asked the media to respect the young couple's privacy, as has been the tradition with children of candidates.

Sarah Palin is scheduled to address the convention Wednesday night, and traditionally her family would join her at the conclusion of her speech.

Sherry Johnston, mother of Levi Johnston, talks about her son at her home in Wasilla, Alaska Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008. Levi is the boyfriend of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's unwed, pregnant daughter and he'll join the family of the Republican vice presidential candidate at the party's convention in St. Paul, Minn. [Agencies]

Sherry Johnston said she was worried about her son dealing with all the attention. She said it was difficult enough for teenagers to deal with any pregnancy, and having the entire nation watching made it worse.

Levi Johnston, a hockey player for Wasilla High School, is not listed on the team roster for 2008-2009, and his mother wouldn't say if he graduated. She said simply he's no longer a student and any further information would have to come from him.

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