ARK GOV TO RUN FOR PRES - Arkansas’ former Governor Asa Hutchinson has announced he will seek the Republican presidential nomination. Hutchinson was term-limited having recently completed his second term as Governor of Arkansas. While appearing on the ABC news interview program “This Week” with Reporter Jon Karl on Sunday – Hutchinson announced his intention to run.
“I hear people talk about the leadership of our country and I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson’s candidacy gives his party an alternative to the former president who is considered the Republican front-runner. The former Arkansas Governor has been one of the few Republicans who has criticized the former president in the recent past and it’s likely his candidacy will test the GOP’s tolerance for those party candidates who speak out against Trump. In light of Trump’s recent indictment, Hutchinson also had this to say:
“Throughout my eight years as governor and as a political leader I’ve always said that people don’t have to step aside from public office if they’re under investigation. But if it reaches the point of criminal charges that have to be answered, the office is always more important than a person,” Hutchinson explained.
For now Hutchinson is the only Republican candidate to criticize Trump while other would-be challengers have defended the former president against the New York indictment for allegedly hiding hush money paid to adult actress Stormy Daniels for an affair. Other GOP members eyeing a presidential nomination include former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to enter the race as is former Vice President Mike Pence.
