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Republican Asa Hutchinson, who is the former governor of Arkansas, has formally declared his presidential campaign for the 2024 race.
President Donald Trump is still overwhelmingly considered the top contender for the White House in 2024, according to polls.
Hutchinson recently retired due to term limits and was replaced by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Trump’s 2024 GOP Competition: Asa Hutchinson Announces Campaign https://t.co/SNcarBwaUZ pic.twitter.com/kgoOAZc8zV
— Forbes (@Forbes) April 2, 2023
He made back-to-back trips to Iowa, which will kick off the presidential nominating calendar.
Speaking to ABC News, Hutchinson said, “I have made a decision, and my decision is I’m going to run for President of the United States.”
“I want to make it clear to you,” he continued. “I am going to be running.”
“And the reason is, I’ve traveled the country for six months,” he added. “I hear people talk about the leadership of our country. I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America, and not simply appeal to our worst instincts.”
EXCLUSIVE: Former GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson announces during an interview with @JonKarl that he will be running for president.
“I'm convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts.” https://t.co/DmytxAAfAL pic.twitter.com/f2lcIBQeqD
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) April 2, 2023
More from Fox News:
Hutchinson has mulled a potential presidential run for months, receiving support from a new super PAC in February.
He remains a long-shot candidate in what is expected to become a crowded field, however. While his only announced opponents are Haley and Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence is expected to announce his campaign soon.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also widely expected to announce his campaign and is considered Trump’s most credible rival. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may also announce a run.
Hutchinson served two terms as Arkansas governor before retiring due to term limits. He has since been replaced by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. As he concluded his tenure as governor, Hutchinson made back-to-back trips to Iowa, the state that for a half-century has kicked off the presidential nominating calendar.
Hutchinson called the reception he received from Iowans “very welcoming,” and said his stops gave him “an opportunity to listen to Iowans and their leaders about the challenges they face and also solutions that they’re looking at.”
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