Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson formally announced that he is running for president in 2024, after teasing it for almost a year on Wednesday with a speech in Bentonville, Arkansas.

He said that his long career in government and “commonsense conservatism” will help him in distinguishing himself from the GOP field. “Today, I am announcing that I am a candidate for president of the United States,” Hutchinson said. “In this campaign for president, I stand alone in terms of my experience, record, and leadership.”

Also Read | Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson eyes White House in 2024 without Donald Trump’s backing

Here is his speech below:

Is Asa Hutchinson a Democrat or Republican?

Asa Hutchinson is a member of the Republican Party. He served as the U.S. attorney for the Fort Smith-based Western District of Arkansas from 1982 to 1985. He was also the representative for Arkansas’s 3rd congressional district from 1997 to 2001.

Asa Hutchinson age

He is 72 years old. He was born on December 3, 1950.

Asa Hutchinson wife Susan Hutchinson

Susan Hutchinson, the wife of Asa, became the first lady of Arkansas on January 13, 2015, when her husband was sworn in as governor. Susan Hutchinson grew up as the second of seven children. She is a native of Atlanta, Georgia.

She has publically said that her husband is the best person to serve as president of the nation. “It’s with a lot of thought and prayer going into this, and I think Asa’s the man for the hour,” she told in an interview on 40/29 News On The Record.

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She also recalled the emotional moment that he had made the decision to run in the Presidential race. “It was scary. I cried,” she said. “It is scary, and it’s huge. It’s life-changing and you put yourself, it’s one thing to put yourself out in front of your townfolks and the people who know you best like he did in years past. But to put yourself out to the whole nation for them to grasp just who you are, where you’re coming from.”

Asa Hutchinson family

Hutchinson’s older brother, Tim Hutchinson was also a U.S. representative from Arkansas’ 3rd congressional district. He served as a U.S. senator from 1997 to 2003. Tim’s twin sons, Jeremy and Timothy Chad Hutchinson, became the first twins to serve together in the Arkansas General Assembly. They were both members of the House of Representatives.

Former Arkansas state Senator Kim Hendren is the brother-in-law of Asa. In 1958, Kim married his sister Marylea Hutchinson. Asa’s nephew is Arkansas District 2 State Senator Jim Hendren.

His son, Asa Hutchinson III has been arrested multiple times for driving offenses, in 2023, 2019, 2018, and 2016. He was also apprehended for possession of a controlled substance at a music festival in 2016. In 2023 he was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and a firearm.

Asa Hutchinson net worth

Asa Hutchinson has an estimated net worth of $5 million.