Former Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who dropped out of the 2024 White House race last week, endorsed Nikki Haley for president this weekend.
A post to X from Hutchinson, a former congressman who served in roles in George W. Bush’s administration prior to becoming governor, argued that the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, would not bring the country together in a politically charged environment.
“Anyone who believes Donald Trump will unite this country has been asleep over the last 8 years. Trump intentionally tries to divide America and will continue to do so. Go [Haley] in New Hampshire,” Hutchinson said on Saturday.
Anyone who believes Donald Trump will unite this country has been asleep over the last 8 years. Trump intentionally tries to divide America and will continue to do so. Go @NikkiHaley in New Hampshire. #FITN
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) January 20, 2024
Last week, Trump won the Iowa caucuses while Haley came in third place, right behind Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Hutchinson, who finished a distant sixth place in Iowa and got no delegates, suspended his campaign soon afterward and applauded Trump for his victory.
“I congratulate Donald J. Trump for his win last night in Iowa and to the other candidates who competed and garnered delegate support,” Hutchinson said. “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.”
Hutchinson made headlines in the days that followed after the Democratic National Committee (DNC) dismayed people in the “Never Trump” crowd with a statement saying, “This news comes as a shock to those of us who could’ve sworn he had already dropped out.” The White House followed suit by issuing an apology to Hutchinson.
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New Hampshire’s GOP primary is next on Tuesday, where polling shows Trump in the lead but Haley catching up as the day nears. As of Sunday, the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Trump with 50.3% support and Haley getting 35.5%. The polls in South Carolina, which has its GOP primary on February 24, so far show Trump with a bigger advantage over Haley. DeSantis rounds out the top three in polls for both states.
Though Haley has the endorsement of New Hampshire GOP Governor Chris Sununu, Trump has the endorsement of current Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as his press secretary in the White House. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), another former rival who dropped out of the 2024 race, announced his support for Trump on Friday.
“We need a president who will close our southern border. We need a president today who will stop the crime in the streets. We need Donald Trump! That is why I am officially endorsing Donald J. Trump for President of the United States,” Scott said in a post to X after he appeared with Trump at a campaign event in New Hampshire.