By Doina Chiacu
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his 2024 U.S. presidential candidacy on Sunday with a proclamation that set him apart from other current or potential Republican candidates: former President Donald Trump should step aside from the race.
In an interview with ABC’s “This Week,” Hutchinson urged Trump, who launched his candidacy in November, to drop out of the race after the former president’s indictment on Thursday in New York following an investigation into hush money payments to a porn star.
“I mean, first of all, 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 and he needs to be able to concentrate on his due process and there is a presumption of innocence,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson, who was governor of the southern state from 2015 until early this year after earlier serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, said he would make his formal announcement in Arkansas later this month but has decided to run.
“I have made a decision, and my decision is I’m going to run for president of the United States,” Hutchinson said. “I’m convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America, and not simply appeal to our worst instincts.”
Democratic President Joe Biden is expected to seek re-election next year.
Hutchinson has criticized Trump in the past. He made clear on Sunday he would not shrink, as a candidate, from confronting Trump, who remains popular among many Republicans despite becoming the first former president to be indicted.
“I think it’s a sad day for America that we have a former president that’s indicted,” Hutchinson said.
Asked whether Trump should step aside, Hutchinson said, “Well, he should, but at the same time, we know he’s not.”
The other Republicans who have launched campaigns for the party’s 2024 nomination include former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and activist investor Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence and current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are considered as possible candidates.
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Will Dunham and Bill Berkrot)
