In early April, Deputy Managing Editor Susie Moore reported on Asa Hutchinson’s announcement on ABC’s “This Week,” where he told host Jonathan Karl that he was definitely planning a presidential run for 2024.
KARL: When I spoke to you earlier this year, you said you were thinking about running for president. Have you made a decision? Are you running?
HUTCHINSON: I have made a decision. And my decision is, I’m going to run for president of the United States. While the formal announcement will be later in April, in Bentonville [Arkansas], I wanted to make clear that, to you, Jonathan, I am going to be running. And the reason, as I’ve traveled the country for six months, 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.
As promised, on Wednesday, Hutchinson made his formal announcement in his hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas.
Former Ark GOP Gov Asa Hutchinson formally launches 2024 presidential campaign
— Andrew Malcolm (@AHMalcolm) April 26, 2023
From CBS News:
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally launched his long-shot bid for the Republican Party’s 2024 presidential nomination on Wednesday, making the case that his “mettle has been tested” and he’s ready to take on President Biden.
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At the age of 72, Hutchinson is younger than President Joe Biden, who is 80.
The former governor, congressman, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and border security official had previously said he would run for president, and formally launched his campaign with a speech in Bentonville, Arkansas, his birthplace.
“Today, I am announcing that I am a candidate for president of the United States,” Hutchinson told supporters. “In this campaign for president, I stand alone in terms of my experience, my record and leadership. From Congress to the DEA to Homeland Security, I have served our country in times of crisis. As governor of Arkansas, we cut taxes and created record surpluses. We increased pay for teachers. We reduced regulations; recruited industry, and the private sector grew by over 100,000 jobs. My mettle has been tested.”
Hutchinson, 72, focused his remarks on his and Mr. Biden’s records, rather than taking aim at potential and declared GOP candidates. His campaign faces a steep uphill climb given Republican voters’ continued support for former President Donald Trump. Hutchinson did not mention Trump in his remarks on Wednesday, but has been one of the few Republicans willing to criticize the former president, who enjoys a large lead in GOP primary polls.
This makes for what is increasingly becoming a crowded Republican field that may rival 2016. Conservative radio host and pundit Larry Elder most recently entered the fray. Hutchinson joins the ranks of former President Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence says he plans to announce his intention to run for president by June, and Sen. Tim Scott is also exploring a presidential bid. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced he would not be putting himself in the race, as did Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. The elephant in the room (pun intended) is, of course, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who seems to be in Trump’s line of fire as his main competitor for the 2024 Republican nomination.
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