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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
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 Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
'Is the death penalty racist? Of course it is.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 8, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - social media guilt, gag orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Boy Scouts changes name to Scouting America
Speed Read The organization is rebranding, citing inclusivity
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Is the death penalty racist? Of course it is.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Climate studies are increasingly becoming politicized'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Presidential debates are more performance art than actual ways to inform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Biden is smart to keep the border-security pressure on'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Voters know Biden and Trump all too well'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published