Former GOP Governor Announces Presidential Bid, Calls On Trump To Drop Out

Asa Hutchinson, the ex-governor of Arkansas and a former Republican, has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential nomination for the GOP. Hutchinson, a vocal critic of former president Donald Trump, called for his withdrawal from the race while being interviewed by Jonathan Karl on ABC’s “This Week”. Hutchinson had previously attended Iowa three times this year, a critical state for candidate selection. Hutchinson’s entry into the race comes after Nikki Haley, another ex-governor, declared her bid to stop Trump’s Republican nomination.

Hutchinson stated that he wants to appeal to the best of America to become a leader, not to worst instincts, adding that he will formally announce his candidacy later this month in Bentonville, Arkansas. He also affirmed that if he wins, he would advocate “consistent conservatism,” optimism, and common sense as his style of leadership.

When asked about Donald Trump’s involvement in the race, Hutchinson replied in the negative, stating that Trump should concentrate instead on his due process:
“I mean, first of all, the office is more important than any individual person, and so for the sake of the office of the presidency, I do think that’s too much of a sideshow and distraction, and he needs to concentrate on his due process, and there is a presumption of innocence,” he said.

Unlike other Republican candidates, who have chosen to take a different tact in response to Trump’s potential indictment, Hutchinson does not think a candidate has to clear the passage while under investigation. Instead, he believes a candidate should only step down after being charged with criminal activity.

Hutchinson is a former prosecutor and has said that the current indictment against Trump is a matter that must follow due process, but he had previously recommended Trump step aside if he was indicted. Hutchinson had also claimed that January 6th’s controversy had disqualified Trump from being the Republican nominee.

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