Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson announced on Sunday that he would seek the Republican presidential nomination, saying America needed a special leader than former Commander-in-Chief Donald Trump.
“I’ve made my decision and my decision is that I’ll run for president of the United States,” Hutchinson told host Jonathan Karl on ABC News’ This Week.
“I don’t think he needs to be the next leader of our country,” the Arkansas politician said of Trump.
“Although the official announcement might be later in April, in Bentonville, I need to make it clear to you, Jonathan, that I might be running,” Hutchinson said. “The rationale is that I have been traveling the country for six months and I’ve heard people discuss our country’s leadership. I’m convinced that folks want leaders who appeal to the better of America, not only our worst instincts.”
Hutchinson, 72, who served eight years as governor of Arkansas and left office in January after being cut short, said Trump should withdraw from the race in light of the indictment against him.
“My point is that, to start with, office is more essential than any single person. And so for the office of president, I believe it’s an excessive amount of of a show and a distraction, and he must have the option to consider his due process, and there is a presumption of innocence,” Hutchinson said.
Trump, 76, has been rising in the polls amongst Republican voters since news broke that he was charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
Hutchinson said the indictment “increases the unpredictability” of the race.
“I believe it’s a tragic day for America that we now have an ex-president impeached, so it’s an enormous distraction,” Hutchinson said. “But at the same time, we cannot put aside what our Structure requires – that is, the election of a recent leader for our country – simply because we now have an argument on the side and a criminal case is pending.
“So we now have to push, and the American people can have to share ideas about our future,” he said.
Hutchinson, whose recent travels have included Iowa, where the early ballot was held, admitted it might take “plenty of exertions and excellent news” to boost his national profile and overcome what is purported to be a crowded Republican Party primary field.
“A lot of these states are still about retail politics,” the former government said, referring to politicians’ tactics of attending local events to appeal to small groups of voters. “And on top of that, it’s one among the most unpredictable political environments I’ve ever seen in my life. So my message of experience, consistent conservatism, and hope for our future in solving the issues facing Americans, I believe it resonates.”
Trump announced in November that he would make a 3rd bid for the White House, followed by former Republican U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley in February and GOP tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Latest Jersey Governor Chris Christie are also expected to throw their hats into the GOP primary ring in the coming months.
Unlike another potential Republican candidates and announced candidates, Hutchinson didn’t attack the Trump indictment in Manhattan as a partisan issue.
“The grand jury found probable cause and that is the standard for any criminal charges in our society,” Hutchinson said.
“I do know there might be those that will say I needs to be tougher on the prosecutor, I needs to be tougher on the injustice of this. I expressed the view that I’d not make these charges if I were a prosecutor,” he said.
“But let’s let the system run. And as a pacesetter, I don’t need to undermine all the things that is good about America, which is our criminal justice system,” he continued.
Hutchinson also stressed that he would relatively be considered a “non-Trump belt” than an “anti-Trump belt”.
“After I say ‘non-Trump’, I need to have the option to refer to Trump voters. I need to have the option to talk to the whole party and say, ‘This is the leadership I need to supply, and I believe we’d like border security.’ I believe we’d like a robust America; we’d like to spend less at the federal level.” These are the values I stand for,” said Hutchinson.