LITTLE ROCK, Ark — Former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson filed paperwork Friday, down the hall from his former office, to get on the Super Tuesday ballot hoping to ascend to the nation's highest office.
The Republican presidential candidate hopes to have sparked some momentum by the time voters in his home state join those in 16 other states and territories casting ballots or caucusing on March 5, 2024.
After filing his paperwork, he sat down with THV11's Rolly Hoyt to talk about the campaign so far, and extensively about his warnings to the GOP of the "chaos" that could follow if - and in his opinion when - a jury convicts former president Donald Trump in one or more of his various criminal cases.
Hutchinson admitted that with his filing for the presidential ballot on Friday, that this was the first time in a while that he has returned to the Natural State.
"I was grateful for so many friends that were there when I filed [for the presidential ballot], and this is a place [Arkansas] that I filed for United States Senate, I filed for governor twice, and now president of the Untied States," Hutchinson said.
The former Arkansas governor encouraged those in the Natural State to recognize the power that they'll have in deciding the next U.S. president in this upcoming election.
"Arkansans should know that they're going to have a meaningful role in the selection of the next president and the nominee of the [Republican] party," he said.
During the interview, Hutchinson, who has been critical of Donald Trump, also spoke about the ongoing legal woes facing his GOP opponent in the former president.
"I'm speaking as a former federal prosecutor and as someone who has been in the courtroom even as a defense attorney for decades," Hutchinson said about the charges against Trump. "I've looked at those cases and whether he's convicted or not, they're very serious allegations of mishandling classified documents — our nation's secrets."
He continued his pushback and said that while he supported Trump in 2016 and 2020, he feels that both America and the Republican Party need a different leader for 2024.
"In 2024, we need a different leader, and we're going to pay a price for it for decades in the Republican Party if we don't get this right," Hutchinson said.
Despite it all, Hutchinson encouraged voters to consider all factors when it comes to voting in this upcoming election.
"Who do we want to lead us in 2024? Who can set the right pattern for our future in America and be strong? But at the same time, set the example of our national character and integrity," Hutchinson questioned.