Republican Senator Announces He Won’t Run for President in 2024

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 25, 2021. Andrew Harnik/Pool/Getty Images

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) will not be running for president, the senator has announced.

Cotton confirmed reports that he decided against a 2024 presidential bid, after earlier reports that he was considering a run.

“This is not the right time for our family for me to commit to a six-to-seven day a week campaign for the next two years,” Cotton told Fox News.

Cotton, 45, and his wife, Anna, have a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old boy.

“They’re old enough to know that dad’s gone and be sad about it but not old enough to understand the purpose and why it all matters and why the sacrifice is worth it,” Cotton said. “I am pretty sure Republican voters can find another nominee, but I know that my sons can’t find another dad for the next two years.”

Cotton said his decision only pertains to 2024.

“We’ll make a decision about future races in the future, especially as my boys get older and understand more about why I do the work I do and what it means for them and for our country,” he said.

Cotton grew up in Arkansas and graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. He has worked in private practice and as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army before becoming a congressman.

Politico first reported that Cotton will not run, saying the senator had been reaching out to donors and other supporters in recent days to inform them of his decision.

Cotton toppled incumbent Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) in 2014, winning 56 percent of the vote. Cotton won reelection in 2020 with 66 percent of the vote.

Many potential Republican presidential candidates have not ruled out runs in 2024, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested he will launch a third bid, though he has said he will hold off on an announcement until after the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

Trump remains the most popular Republican candidate in many states if he were to run, according to polls and surveys, with DeSantis on top in some states and in second in many others.

Other possible GOP candidates have said they will not run, including Fox host Tucker Carlson, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said she will not run if Trump does.

Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately stated Sen. Hawley’s party affiliation. He is a Republican. The Epoch Times regrets the error.