Asa Hutchinson, former GOP Arkansas governor, is running for president
PBS NewsHourDec 24, 2022
The Facts
Asa Hutchinson, former Republican Governor of Arkansas, on Sunday announced during a television appearance that he will run for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination. He said he will make a formal announcement later this month.
Hutchinson is the fourth Republican to announce a 2024 run, following former Pres. Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Hutchinson is another RINO (Republican in Name Only) with a minuscule chance of claiming the GOP nomination. He was on the wrong side of Biden’s vaccine and mask mandates and vetoed a bill that would have protected children from gender-affirming care. He truly sealed his fate, however, with his criticisms of Trump who is still the standard-bearer for the party.
Republican narrative
Attacking Hutchinson on his Republican bona fides is ridiculous considering his track record on abortion, his strong relationship with the National Rifle Association, and his hardline position against the Affordable Care Act. Republicans would be wise to consider someone like Hutchinson in the primary mix, along with Trump, to provide multiple options to defeat Biden.
