Asa Hutchinson, a ”Non-Trump” Conservative Republican for the GOP Presidential Nomination

Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced his candidacy for the presidency today as a self-described “non-Trump” candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. He is a much-experienced public servant, having been a lawyer, federal prosecutor, member of the United States Congress, federal Drug Enforcement Administration chief and Homeland Security official before recently completing two terms as Chief Executive of the Diamond State. Hutchinson, who has a conservative track record and who was one of the leading members of House of Representatives elected in the Republican wave in 1994 that won the majority in the lower legislative chamber for the first time in 40 years, has been a critic of Donald Trump, the disgraced leader of the Republicans who was backed for the GOP nod and the presidency by ex-Soviet intelligence officer and Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin, and who has non-conservative views. Trumpism is defined by a populist mixture of views and of manifestations of poor character, namely protectionism, nativism, isolationism, authoritarianism, corruption, dishonesty, disloyalty and cruelty. Hutchinson has identified Trumpism as the Republican party having lost its way from its conservative beliefs. He also dismisses the recently-indicted election fraudster and corrupt businessman who is attempting to regain the presidency as a circus sideshow that the party should stop focusing on, while he advised Trump to focus on his due process. Although Hutchinson is not defining himself as an anti-Trump candidate, he is the first among a handful of candidates who identifies as a non-Trump candidate in the field that is expected to continue to grow.