JACKSON - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will not visit Wyoming next week, deciding instead to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Taking her place at a fundraiser in Jackson Hole will be Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential nominee John McCain.

"Needless to say, we are disappointed Gov. Palin is not coming, in that she is indeed creating a lot of energy and excitement everywhere, not just in Wyoming," said Maggie Scarlett, an organizer of the fundraiser.

"But to have the opportunity to have Cindy McCain come in is equally exciting to us."

The McCain campaign told the Wyoming Republican Party about the change in plans Tuesday.

"The people in Wyoming are so excited to have the future first lady in the state," said Amy Larimer, executive director of the state party. "The buzz is just general excitement. It's an honor for us, as well."

Palin on Monday plans to attend a rally outside the United Nations by several American Jewish groups to protest Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, who nearly won the Democratic presidential nomination, canceled her plans to attend the rally after finding out that Palin would be there.

Scarlett said that except for Palin, plans for the breakfast fundraiser remain the same. The event at the Teton Pines development is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m.

The cost of the breakfast fundraiser will be $250 and $1,000 to have a photo taken with Cindy McCain. For $2,500, participants can participate in a round-table discussion with Cindy McCain and former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson.