Who are the declared candidates running for president in 2024?
7. Asa Hutchinson
Update: Asa Hutchinson suspended his presidential campaign on Jan. 16.
Asa Hutchinson, who served as governor of Arkansas from 2015-2023, threw his hat into the ring last April.
Hutchinson faced criticism from conservatives for vetoing a bill banning the chemical and surgical castration of youth struggling with gender dysphoria. The bill became law because the Republican-controlled Arkansas Legislature overrode his veto. For his part, Hutchinson defended his veto in a past appearance on Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” expressing concern that the bill was “overbroad” and “extreme.”
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“This … is the first law in the nation that invokes the state between medical decisions, parents who consent to that, and the decision of the patient, and so this goes way too far,” he added.
As Hutchinson attempted to make the case that vetoing the ban on genital mutilation and chemical castration of youth was the right decision, he pointed to other initiatives he supported that prove his conservative credentials.
“I signed pro-life bills. I signed many bills that would be looked at as very conservative, but this is one that crosses the line; there’s no need for it,” he argued. In addition to signing a bill prohibiting abortions after a baby’s heartbeat can be detected, Hutchinson approved a measure banning trans-identified men from playing on women’s sports teams.
Unlike most of the other contenders, who have spent much of their campaigns trying to keep their direct criticism of the Republican frontrunner at a minimum, Hutchinson has not hesitated to call out former President Trump. For example, he condemned Trump for having dinner with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes, who have come under fire for making anti-Semitic remarks.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
