When you’re front and center in American politics, the public is always watching. Whether it’s slip-ups on the campaign trail, personal info leaking through the media or even lavish home purchases, politicians tend to live very public lives. Here is a look at some of their exclusive estates around the country.

Sarah Palin is no stranger to the public eye yet she still does her best to keep some things private. However, the former Alaskan governor’s “secret” purchase of this 6,000 square foot home in Scottsdale, Arizona, is not a secret anymore. She purchased the home in May and the Arizona Republic reported, “Safari Investments LLC paid $1.695 million cash for the home in a deal that appears to clock the identity of a high-profile buyer.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s job automatically gives him access to a huge house, Gracie Mansion, however he also owns a mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and in July he paid $20 million for this 11-bedroom, 8-bathroom Georgian estate in the Shinnecock Hills area of Long Island.

Senator Dianne Feinstein is currently the ninth richest member of Congress. In 2006 she purchased a $16.5 million house in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. The lavish home is located just a few blocks from the San Francisco Bay.

Rep. Mike McCaul is the richest member of Congress and lives in this expansive mansion in suburban Austin, Texas.

John Edwards’ North Carolina mansion is by far one of the largest political mansions measuring in at 28,0000 square feet on a 100-acre property. The home is located outside Chapel Hill and the family reportedly purchased the home in 2006.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee has a home in suburban North Little Rock but in April it was reported that he was in the process of building another mansion in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida, priced at $3 million.

Senator John McCain owns a ranch near Sedona, Arizona, where he hosted reporters during the 2008 presidential race and according to Politifact, McCain owns a total of eight properties. The McCain’s Phoenix home, which was Cindy McCain’s childhood home, was sold for $3.2 million in 2006.

Source and Photos: The Atlantic