Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his candidature for president in 2024 on Sunday.
“I’m planning on running.” And the reason is that as I’ve travelled the country for six months, I’ve heard people talk about our country’s leadership, and I’m convinced that people want leaders who appeal to the best of America, rather than just our worst instincts,” Hutchinson said during an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC’s “This Week.”
Hutchinson stated that he will make a formal announcement later this month in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Hutchinson enters the GOP primary at a challenging time in the race, as the party’s current frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, is facing an indictment in connection with a case involving hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniels during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Hutchinson, a veteran federal prosecutor, renewed his call for Trump to drop out of the race on Sunday.
When asked if Trump should get out of the election, Hutchinson replied, “Yes, he should.” “Yet, at the same time, we know he won’t.” And there is no such provision in the Constitution.”
The indictment will become too much of a “sideshow,” Hutchinson warned, adding that the former president should concentrate on his defence rather than another run for the presidency.
“First and foremost, the office is more essential than any individual.” And so, for the sake 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,” Hutchinson said, admitting that the former president should be presumed innocent of the charges, which the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has yet to publicly unveil.
Hutchinson has entered what is expected to be a crowded Republican primary. In addition to Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have formed campaigns, and numerous others have indicated an interest in becoming involved.
So far, Hutchinson is the only candidate or speculated candidate who has asked Trump to drop out of the race. Some have accused Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan District Attorney who took the case to the grand jury, of conducting a political probe. Former Vice President Mike Pence termed the indictment a “outrage,” while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis branded it “un-American.”
Hutchinson has also criticised the case. “From what I’ve seen coming out of New York, I don’t like the idea of the accusations,” he remarked on Sunday. “But the process has to function, and we have to respect not only our criminal justice system, but also the office of the presidency.”