He didn’t have a chance.
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson made the decision to suspend his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, a move that followed his failure to make an impact in the Iowa caucuses. Hutchinson, who secured only 0.2% of the vote in the caucuses, found himself in a distant sixth place despite his anti-Trump stance, which failed to resonate within the Republican community.
Expressing his thoughts on the outcome, Hutchinson stated, “My message of being a principled Republican with experience and telling the truth about the current front-runner did not sell in Iowa.” Despite standing by the campaign he ran, Hutchinson acknowledged the lack of traction for his principled approach in the state. Throughout his campaign efforts, he spent a considerable amount of time on the ground in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
A notable aspect of Hutchinson’s campaign was his vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump. He even went so far as to suggest that Trump might be disqualified from running in 2024 under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, citing a provision that bars candidates who have engaged in insurrection. Hutchinson’s stance on Trump’s eligibility was part of his broader message emphasizing the importance of leadership without the burden of legal challenges.
During interviews and public appearances, Hutchinson emphasized his two terms as the governor of Arkansas and highlighted his past roles at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security during the George W. Bush administration. He also took the opportunity to critique the economic and border policies of the Biden administration, advocating for increased energy independence for the United States.
Despite initially meeting the polling threshold to qualify for the Republican National Committee’s first debate in Milwaukee, Hutchinson struggled to maintain the necessary polling numbers for subsequent debates. He had previously indicated a willingness to reconsider his candidacy if his polling did not improve, stating, “Certainly, if I can’t be at 4% in a national or early state poll by Thanksgiving, then I should re-evaluate the campaign.” Ultimately, the lack of momentum in Iowa led to Hutchinson’s decision to suspend his presidential bid.
