Former Governor Asa Hutchinson Kicks Off Presidential Campaign in Arkansas

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition stage backdrop in Clive, Iowa, on April 22, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally launched his 2024 presidential campaign April 26, positioning himself as a “consistent conservative” fighting for the future of the United States and the soul of the Republican Party.

“Today, I am announcing that I am a candidate for president of the United States,” Hutchinson told supporters in his hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas. “In this campaign for president, I stand alone in terms of my experience, my record, and leadership.”

On April 2, Hutchinson declared his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in an ABC News interview, stating that he felt he had the leadership experience to get the country back on track.

In addition to his two terms as governor, he also served as a U.S. congressman and held leadership positions at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security in the George W. Bush administration.

“This campaign is about courage,” Hutchinson said. “It is about making the tough decisions to rebuild our economy, to give peace a chance through America’s strength, and to renew the American spirit of freedom, opportunity, and the rule of law. And we’ve got our work cut out for us.”

A Change in Direction

Hutchinson’s formal announcement came on the heels of that of President Joe Biden, who announced his reelection campaign April 25.

Charging that the Biden administration had “turned its back” on the American people, Hutchinson stressed that the nation’s leadership needed to abandon excessive spending habits and return to the practice of fiscal responsibility. And a secure southern border, unrestrained energy production, and stronger opposition to China and other adversaries, he added, would be welcome improvements.

“When the Biden administration conducted its disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, we left our friends abandoned and our allies confused,” he said. “America looked weak, and that weakness was seen as an opportunity for Russia to invade Ukraine, and then for China to threaten and be aggressive toward Taiwan.

“Let me assure you, as president, I will bring out the best of America. We will stand with our allies, and we will stand with our friends.”

Hutchinson also criticized the current administration’s lack of action on “rampant crime,” vowing to uphold the rule of law.

However, one matter the Republican seemed to agree with Biden on was the Russia-Ukraine war.

Dismissing the concerns of those who would prefer that the United States stay out of foreign military conflicts, he argued that the best way to avoid a long war in Ukraine was to “help Ukraine win today.”

Criticism of Trump

One presidential candidate who has been outspoken about his non-interventionist views is former President Donald Trump.

Although Hutchinson did not mention Trump by name April 26, he has not shied away from criticizing the 45th president in the media.

In announcing his candidacy earlier this month, Hutchinson called upon Trump to drop out of the race, describing the recently unsealed falsification of business records charges against the former president as a “distraction.”

“I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts,” he added.

Reiterating his belief that the country is ready to move on from past political candidates, Hutchinson said: “I am confident that America is ready to seek new frontiers and that we are ready to channel the restless ways of our democracy into more freedom and more prosperity for those who follow after us. I am running for president of the United States because I know that the best of America is ahead of us.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.