Ex-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson jumps into presidential race

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced his campaign for president on Sunday, making him the fourth Republican to throw his hat into the race as he marketed himself as an alternative to former President Donald Trump.

Mr. Hutchinson launched his run in an interview with ABC News but said a more formal announcement will come this month in his home state.

“I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts,” the former governor said. “That inspires me when I see everyday Americans just saying: give us good leadership, give us common sense, consistent conservatism and optimism about our great country.”

“I believe I can be that kind of leader for the people of America,” he added.

The other Republicans who have announced their candidacies are Mr. Trump, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Others, like former Vice President Mike Pence and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, are expected to run.

A former prosecutor, member of Congress, Drug Enforcement Administration director and governor, Mr. Hutchinson said he brings to a crowded GOP primary race a “message of experience, of consistent conservatism, of hope for our future and solving problems that face Americans.”

A frequent critic of Mr. Trump, Mr. Hutchinson said the ex-president should drop his White House bid because of his indictment for an alleged hush-money payment to an adult film star before the 2016 election to cover up an extramarital affair. Other Republicans, meanwhile, have come to Mr. Trump’s defense that the case is weak and politically motivated.

“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,” Mr. Hutchinson said.

He has struggled in recent polls to break above 1% support among the other contenders. Mr. Hutchinson garnered 0% in three polls last month and just 1% in a fourth survey.

Mr. Hutchinson has consistently criticized Mr. Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot and reiterated his belief Sunday that the ex-president is not the right person to be commander in chief. He’s branded himself as a non-Trump lane as opposed to an anti-Trump lane for disgruntled Republican voters. 

“It means that I’m providing an alternative to the former president, Donald Trump, and I think we need an alternative and choices in that. When I say non-Trump, I want to be able to speak to the Trump voters, I want to be able to speak to all of the party and say ’this is the leadership that I want to provide,’” Mr. Hutchinson said. “I think that we need to have border security. I think we need to have a strong America. I think we need to spend less at the federal level. These are the values that I represent.”

He demurred on whether he would support Mr. Trump if he won the nomination and brushed aside calls for a loyalty pledge in order to participate in the primary debates. 

“I’m running because I believe that I am the right time for America, the right candidate for our country and its future, and it shouldn’t hinge upon anything else,” Mr. Hutchinson said.