Hutchinson Announces Run For Governor

Last updated Saturday, March 12, 2005 10:55 PM CST in News

By Alison Vekshin
The Morning News

Hutchinson, who for weeks has said he was considering entering the race, said he finalized his decision after completing a tour through Arkansas two weeks ago.

"It's not just the encouragement I received but the excitement I felt about this opportunity to provide leadership for Arkansas and then after talking to my family I made the decision to do it," Hutchinson said in a telephone interview Saturday.

Benton County GOP chairman Ret Miles of Rogers and Washington County chairman Matt Mendenhall of Springdale both said they must remain neutral in the contest between candidates. However, both said they believe the primary will be a landmark event in state GOP politics, and perhaps a watershed.

"With either Asa Hutchinson or Win Rockefeller, we're talking about two quality people who will campaign in every county in a hard-fought race. I think it will be a very expensive primary," Mendenhall said. "I think you'll see a lot of money spent, in part because it's going to be a statewide campaign. I'm not going to venture into any numbers, but it wouldn't surprise me if its one of the most expensive ever seen. After all, it's basically started one year and two months prior to the primary. Just look at the length."

Hutchinson has taken steps to reestablish roots in Arkansas since his resignation March 1 as undersecretary for border and transportation security at the Department of Homeland Security.

He has bought a home and is setting up a consulting business in Little Rock. He also has accepted a part-time position leading the homeland security practice at Venable, LLP, a Washington law firm.

Hutchinson, 54, previously headed the Drug Enforcement Administration between 2001 and 2003, served as a Republican congressman from Fort Smith from 1997 to 2001 and was chairman of the state Republican Party between 1990 and 1995.

"I have a proven record of leadership in very tough positions," Hutchinson said. "I've been given some of the toughest assignments than anyone in public service and I have performed them well. I offer that experience."

Hutchinson is no stranger to statewide political races. He waged an unsuccessful challenge against then-Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., in 1986 and lost a bid for state attorney general in 1990.

In his campaign, Hutchinson said he planned to underscore the issues of job growth, education and transportation improvements, and fighting illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, in Arkansas.

Hutchinson said he had "a high regard" for Rockefeller, who he will face in the Republican primary.

"My plan for the campaign is to talk about what I want to do for Arkansas," he said. "I'm sure Win will do the same.

"That's what a campaign is all about," Hutchinson said. "It's a competition of ideas."

Asked to describe the strengths of each candidate, Mendenhall said: "The strength of Asa is that he's a well-known, national figure. He's been on 'The Today Show' and news programs. He's had a lot of exposure, not just in Arkansas but across the country. If you don't know him, you don't watch a lot of TV."

"Lt. Gov. Rockefeller has certainly shown strong leadership after the party's troubles of a year or so ago," Mendenhall said, referring to a financial crisis in the party. Rockefeller became state party chairman and steered the party to a recovery. "He told us 'I'm not your daddy' and won a lot of respect from the Republican faithful, and he's made a lot of travels around the state."

"There was some concern that one may dilute the votes of the other if there's a primary, but I don't believe that's so. I think the party will come out stronger. This will build the party and be a good thing for Republicans," said Miles.

Hutchinson said he planned to open a campaign office in Little Rock, set up a campaign committee and hire a staff.

"This is day one of the campaign," Hutchinson said. "My next steps are setting up the campaign organization, starting to raise money, continuing to speak to Arkansas and listening to the people of this state."

He also planned to continue working in the private sector.

"It's one of those things in life that I still have to work for a living," Hutchinson said. "So I will be engaging in my business and my private responsibilities as I also carry out the responsibilities of the campaign."

He said he had more than 20 speaking engagements scheduled in the next couple of months.

"It's early," Hutchinson said. "The election is over a year away. I intend to be across Arkansas. It will be, to a large extent, a quiet campaign for the coming months."

He said he planned to formally announce his candidacy at a later date.

Jason Willett, state Democratic Party chairman, said the party did not feel pressured to secure a name for the Democratic ticket. He identified Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe as the party's strongest potential candidate.

"If the attorney general gets in the race for governor, we are going to have the most experienced candidate in Arkansas' history to seek the office of governor of either party," Willett said. "I'm looking forward to hanging new drapes in the governor's mansion come January '07."

Hadley Glover of Rogers, Benton County Democratic chairwoman, said she finds it "difficult to believe that either of these candidates could connect with the everyday Arkansan. What matters more in a Republican primary is how well they connect to business, and Hutchinson appears to have a leg up on that to me."

Doug Thompson contributed to this report.

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