Hutchinson to Run for Republican Nomination, Criticizes Trump
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson has announced that he will run for the Republican nomination for president. Hutchinson, a critic of former President Donald Trump, has been considering a presidential run for months.
Hutchinson revealed that a formal campaign announcement will be made on April 26 in Northwest Arkansas. He told ABC’s “This Week” that the current political environment is volatile and that elections in many of the early primary states are still about “retail politics.”
Moderate Republican with Conservative Record on Abortion and Taxes
Despite being regarded as a moderate Republican, Hutchinson signed into law one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the United States and oversaw some of the largest tax cuts in state history. He also led the National Rifle Association’s School Shield Task Force, which formed after the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting to make recommendations on school safety. Hutchinson renewed his call for armed personnel in every school following the recent school shooting in Nashville.
Hurdles to Overcome, Including Name Recognition and Reaching Trump Voters
One of Hutchinson’s biggest hurdles will be name recognition, as he does not have the nationwide reputation of some of his opponents. He has also been cautious to portray himself as an anti-Trump Republican, instead aiming to appeal to all members of the party. Hutchinson has criticized “woke ideology” and investments that avoid industries such as fossil fuels, as well as opposing transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports.
A Candidate with Federal Prosecutorial Experience
Prior to serving as governor, Hutchinson was a U.S. congressman, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Border and Transportation Security Directorate. The 72-year-old was popular with Arkansas voters and won reelection to a second term in 2018.
Hutchinson Joins Field of GOP Candidates Including Trump, DeSantis, and Haley
Hutchinson joins a field of GOP presidential candidates that already includes Trump, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also expected to enter the race. Hutchinson has broken with many GOP leaders by calling on Trump to drop out of the race following his criminal indictment, and instead offers a message of experience and hope for the future.
Credit: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/04/02/former-arkansas-gov-asa-hutchinson-says-he-will-run-for-president/