Asa Hutchinson in 2022 AR Governor's race
On Civil Rights:
Forced moderate version of business "religious freedom" bill
Hutchinson had to grapple with a religious freedom measure that blew up shortly after a similar bill in Indiana through fire for potentially enabling businesses to refuse to serve gays and lesbians.
As in Indiana, disapproval from the business community was critical in forestalling the measure; in Arkansas the key opposition came from Wal-Mart, and
Hutchinson's son Seth attracted notice for signing a petition urging the governor to cast a veto. Hutchinson rejected the first version he received from lawmakers, ordering up changes to the most controversial provisions.
The legislature complied, and Hutchinson signed the revised measure.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Oct 5, 2015
On Health Care:
COVID: Getting vaccines out is public/private partnership
The private sector is very engaged. The private sector is doing it, both the independent pharmacies as well as the chain pharmacies. The federal government is giving directly to them. All we're doing as a state is telling them where it goes and
allocate it. The delivery is directly to the private sector and they're getting it out, but not as fast as we would like. And so it's a partnership.
Source: CBS Meet the Press on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
Jan 3, 2021
On Health Care:
Kept state "open for business" during pandemic
We have all kept our states "open for business" and delivered food and other goods Americans need during this pandemic. Like other states, we did have to close pieces of our economies temporarily. To meet this challenge, our states moved quickly to
cut red tape and allow private employers to pivot to new business models.As we move into the next phase of managing the pandemic and consider
President Trump's guidelines for "Opening Up America Again," we are applying our propensity for planning to reopen the segments of our economies that temporarily closed. Each of us has identified triggers for when regions of our states and sectors of
our economies should reopen, based on metrics tailored to our unique circumstances. We are sharing expertise and best practices on how to safely reopen restaurants, churches, gyms and other businesses while continuing to slow the spread of infection.
Source: WaPo OpEd by 5 governors for 2022 Arkansas governor race
May 5, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Parents operated a Christian radio station and school
Asa Hutchinson grew up on a farm with his brother Tim who later became a senator. Their parents also operated a Christian radio station in school.
After graduating from Bob Jones University, Asa Hutchinson attended the University of Arkansas law school at the same time that Bill Clinton started teaching there.
He became US attorney in western Arkansas and prosecuted Clinton's half brother, Roger, for cocaine possession.Hutchinson easily won election as Governor in 1996 to succeed his brother, who moved to the Senate.
He combined a conservative voting record with a pleasant demeanor to become an important player in a short time.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2022 Arkansas Governor race
Oct 5, 2015
On Abortion:
It's Arkansas policy that we protect the life of the unborn
In Arkansas it's a policy of Arkansas that we protect the life of the unborn. And so, yes, if Roe versus Wade is reversed, then we would have the trigger law in place to protect the life of the unborn. I believe that we want to increase the services
for maternal health, to increase the services for adoption services as well. And so we want to invest those areas that will help those women with very difficult circumstances of the pregnancy.
Source: ABC This Week on 2022 Arkansas Gubernatorial race
May 8, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023