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Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday announced he’s dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination after placing sixth in the Iowa caucuses Monday.
“I congratulate Donald J. Trump for his win last night in Iowa and to the other candidates who competed and garnered delegate support,” Mr. Hutchinson said in a statement. “Today, I am suspending my campaign for president and driving back to Arkansas. My message of being a principled Republican with experience and telling the truth about the current front-runner did not sell in Iowa.”
Mr. Hutchinson didn’t say whether he’ll endorse another candidate.
The long-shot candidate’s campaign failed to gain momentum. He attended the first GOP debate in Milwaukee in August but didn’t meet the qualifications for the next four.
Throughout his campaign, Mr. Hutchinson talked about his dislike and distrust of the former president. During the initial debate, he got booed when he said he wouldn’t support Mr. Trump if he was convicted in any of his criminal trials. Mr. Hutchinson was among the first to raise the question of the former president’s ballot eligibility over his involvement with the Jan. 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol.
His campaign suspension came right after entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy announced he was bowing out and endorsing Mr. Trump. Last week, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced the end of his campaign.
The three left in the GOP race — Mr. Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley — are heading to New Hampshire to see who grabs the Granite State’s support in the Jan. 23 primary after the former president’s victory in Iowa.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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