Former governor announces presidential run  

Top photo: Asa Hutchinson greets one of the attendees at Wednesday’s campaign announcement. Photo by Gillian Bunting. Above, Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson talks with well-wishers before making his campaign announcement. Photo by Delaney Reaves

Hutchinson makes bid official with Bentonville event

BENTONVILLE — Asa Hutchinson, former Arkansas governor, announced today (April 26) that he is officially running for the Republican nomination in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The announcement was made outside the Benton County Courthouse in Downtown Bentonville this morning. 

In introducing the candidate, Susan Hutchinson, the former First Lady of Arkansas, touted her husband’s career and character and said he is a hard worker who stands on his faith.

“The time for change is now; it is time to bring out the best of America.”

Asa Hutchinson, Republican candidate for President

Hutchinson told the audience of hundreds that Bentonville is where the nation’s future and his story come together. The Arkansas native was born in a hospital in Bentonville and started out his public service career as city attorney in Bentonville. Approximately 30 years ago, Hutchinson launched his U.S. Senate campaign against then incumbent Sen. Dale Bumpers in Bentonville. 

“I am running for President of the United States because I know the best of America is ahead of us,” Hutchinson said. 

Hutchinson’s political career included two terms as Arkansas governor and serving as a U.S. Attorney, as the Representative for the 3^rd Congressional District of Arkansas, as head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and as Under Secretary for Border & Transportation Security in the Department of Homeland Security. He mentioned those roles in making the case for his candidacy.

Hutchinson spoke on different policies and solutions he wants to accomplish if he is elected to office in 2024. The policies included securing America’s borders and getting the American economy back on track. “We have to stop break-the-bank federal spending that has led to inflation,” Hutchinson said.

“I am running for President of the United States because I know the best of America is ahead of us.”

Asa Hutchinson, Republican candidate for President

Prior to delivering his formal remarks, Hutchison walked around the Bentonville square to greet and take pictures with the attendees. Hutchinson also talked to groups of students from the Springdale band and in the cheerleading squad from Gravette and posed for photos with them. The band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” as part of the ceremonies.

He also voiced his support for law enforcement and mentioned his experience as a prosecutor in discussing his qualifications for the country’s highest office. “I am here today in support of our law enforcement heroes,” he said. Hutchinson said that reform is needed to refocus the core of law enforcement. He stressed the importance of the rule of law and holding people accountable. 

Hutchinson said that his mettle was tested through the tough times of the pandemic and to keep the businesses open for the community. His mettle also was tested, he said, when he was serving as U.S. attorney and negotiated a settlement with a domestic terrorist organization engaged in a standoff with local, state and federal officials.   

“Let me assure you as president I will bring out the best of America,” Hutchinson said. “The time for change is now; it is time to bring out the best of America.”

Democrat Bill Clinton announced his bid in 1991 and won his first term in 1992. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination in 2008 and in 2016. Rohan Collins, a student from Bentonville West High School, was on hand for the announcement of a third Arkansan in recent history to seek the office of president. Collins said, “It’s a historic event seeing [someone] from Arkansas run, especially someone from our area, getting to see someone that a lot of us know, announce their candidacy for presidency.”

Preston Pschierer, a Bentonville High School student, said it was good to be a part of the community event and observed that few political events happen here. “It’s cool to be able to witness someone from your state running for president,” he said. 

NorthWest Arkansas Community College political science professor Matt Evans said in an earlier interview that he believes Hutchinson faces an uphill battle. He speculated that if both former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis run, Hutchinson will be a smaller candidate running against better known figures.

In his remarks, Hutchinson alluded to his experience as a candidate who might initially have been discounted. He ran as a conservative Republican, he noted, when the Democratic Party held most of the state’s political offices. From that perspective, he is accustomed to the underdog role in politics, he seemed to suggest.

In a recently updated Politico.com article, writer Steven Shepard identified Hutchinson as a long shot in the upcoming election even after his lengthy career in the U.S. government. The same article mentioned other announced and potential GOP candidates. Hutchinson has joined former President Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and former conservative media personality Larry Elder in vying for the Republican nomination in 2024.

On Tuesday, incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, announced that he is seeking a second term.