Former Governor Asa Hutchinson Refuses to Endorse Donald Trump or Joe Biden in Upcoming Presidential Election
Former Republican presidential candidate and two-term Governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, announced on Monday that he will neither endorse Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee for the Republican Party for the upcoming presidential election, nor vote for Joe Biden, the current Democratic incumbent. Hutchinson made this statement in a USA Today op-ed where he voiced his concerns and reasons behind his decision.
Hutchinson, who was critical of Trump during his presidential campaign trail, argued that the former president had “disqualified” himself on January 6, 2021, when a mob of his supporters violently attacked the US Capitol. According to Hutchinson, Trump’s ongoing defense of these actions undermines our democracy and is an affront to American values.
Furthermore, Hutchinson accused Trump of embracing Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Ukrainian people, leaning into isolationism by “abandoning” NATO, and endorsing “economic protectionism” with plans to impose tariffs on US allies and adversaries. Hutchinson believes these ideas are not in line with Republican principles, but instead represent a departure from the conservative success story that has been built over the last 50 years.
However, Hutchinson also stated that he will not vote for Joe Biden in November. According to him, Biden’s “weak” border policies, “poor” economic record, and “slow growth” energy policy do not justify reelection.
Hutchinson launched his campaign for the presidency in April 2023, emphasizing his extensive government service and two terms as the conservative governor of Arkansas. He was one of the few Republican presidential hopefuls who spoke out against Trump but failed to gain significant support among other potential alternatives. Hutchinson ended his campaign in January and later endorsed former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for the presidency.
Hutchinson is not the only former GOP presidential candidate who has refused to endorse Trump. Last week, former Vice President and Trump’s onetime running mate, Mike Pence, delivered a striking rebuke of his former ticket mate, telling Fox News that he “cannot in good conscience endorse Donald Trump in this campaign” due to the divergence between their agendas.
