Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces presidential bid


Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) announced Sunday that he is running for president in 2024, becoming the fourth Republican candidate to officially enter the race for the White House.
Hutchinson, 72, revealed his bid during an interview with ABC News. He told the network's Jonathan Karl that "while the formal announcement will be later in April...I want to make it clear to you, Jonathan, I am going to be running." Hutchinson added that he was "convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America, and not simply appeal to our worst instincts."
However, Hutchinson, who served as the governor of Arkansas from 2015 to 2023, acknowledged that he'll need "a lot of hard work and good messaging" to break through what is expected to be a crowded GOP candidate field.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hutchinson has been a voice of Republican opposition against former President Donald Trump, currently the party's frontrunner, and reiterated his call for Trump to drop out of the race after his indictment by the Manhattan district attorney. "The office is more important than any individual person," he said. "So for the sake of the office of the presidency, I do think that's too much of a sideshow and distraction and he needs to be able to concentrate on his due process, and there is a presumption of innocence."
"I do believe if we're looking at the presidency and the future of our country, then we don't need that distraction," Hutchinson added. Unlike a large swath of Republicans, Hutchinson said he did not feel Trump's indictment was politically motivated, replying, "I'm different," when Karl mentioned the recent GOP attacks on the legal system.
Hutchinson has "been a fixture in Arkansas politics since the 1980s, when the state was predominantly Democratic," The Associated Press noted, and has tried to paint himself as a moderate alternative to Trump.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
DHS preps for major ICE expansion, rankling local law enforcement
IN THE SPOTLIGHT As the Trump administration positions ICE as the primary federal police force, its recruitment efforts have been met with a less-than-enthusiastic response
-
The return of 'Wednesday,' an 'Alien' prequel and a dramatic retelling of the Amanda Knox trial all happening in August TV
the week recommends This month's new television releases include 'Alien: Earth,' 'The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox' and a new season of 'Wednesday'
-
How does a 401(k) hardship withdrawal work and is it smart to take one?
the explainer More Americans than ever are resorting to this option in a pinch
-
Trump officials reinstating 2 Confederate monuments
Speed Read The administration has plans to 'restore Confederate names and symbols' discarded in the wake of George Floyd's 2020 murder
-
Trump nominates Powell critic for vacant Fed seat
speed read Stephen Miran, the chair of Trump's Council of Economic Advisers and a fellow critic of Fed chair Jerome Powell, has been nominated to fill a seat on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
-
ICE scraps age limits amid hiring push
Speed Read Anyone 18 or older can now apply to be an ICE agent
-
Trump's global tariffs take effect, with new additions
Speed Read Tariffs on more than 90 US trading partners went into effect, escalating the global trade war
-
House committee subpoenas Epstein files
Speed Read The House Oversight Committee has issued a subpoena to the Justice Department for its Jeffrey Epstein files with an Aug. 19 deadline
-
India rejects Trump threat over Russian oil
Speed Read The president said he would raise tariffs on India for buying and selling Russian oil
-
NY's Hochul vows response to Texas gerrymander
Speed Read Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to play ball with redistricting that favors the Democrats
-
Texas Democrats exit state to block redistricting vote
Speed Read More than 51 legislators fled the state in protest of the GOP's plan to redraw congressional districts