Ex-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he's running for president

"I'm convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts," he said.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: April 2, 2023 9:22am

Updated: April 2, 2023 9:49am

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday he has decided to run for president and plans on formally announcing his campaign in April.

"My decision is, I'm going to run for president of the United States," he told ABC News' "This Week" during an interview. He said he will formally announce his campaign in his hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas, later this month.

"I'm convinced that people want leaders that appeal to the best of America and not simply appeal to our worst instincts," he also said.

Hutchinson is a Republican, who stepped down as governor in January due to the state's term limits, giving way to his successor, GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

So far, only two other Republicans – former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley – have declared their candidacy for the 2024 GOP presidential primary.

Hutchinson on Friday called for Trump to withdraw from the 2024 race after he was indicted in connection to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's probe involving a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016.