On Sunday (April 2), former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his entrance into the 2024 GOP White House race.
Hutchinson’s announcement makes him the third major figure to enter the race since former ambassador to the White House Nikki Haley entered the race in February and former President Donald Trump in November.
The former Arkansas Governor made the announcement during a sit-down interview with host Jonathan Karl on ABC News’s “This Week.”
Hutchinson explained to Karl he believed “people want leaders that appeal to the best of America.
He then declared, “I am going to be running.”
Hutchinson explained his reason for the move, noting that he traveled across the U.S. for six months, noting that during his travels, he heard Americans discuss the country’s leadership, discussions that have convinced him that “people want leaders that appeal to the best of America,” and not leaders who “appeal to our worst instincts.”
He insisted he could be that type of leader.
The former Arkansas Governor noted that he would be making a formal announcement later in April at an event in Bentonville, Aransas.
The former Governor, who served as a federal prosecutor, also called for Trump to drop out of the race, given he had been indicted.
Hutchinson described the indictment as a “distraction” and “sideshow” while explaining that Trump Should step aside because the White House “is more important than any individual person.”
He added that Trump should focus on “his due process” without the strain of running a campaign. Hutchinson noted that while it wasn’t necessary for officials being investigated to step aside when that Investigation reaches criminal charges being filed, the individual should step aside as “the office is always more important than a person.”
