Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson ends 2024 campaign

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson dropped his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday, ending a candidacy that served as a throwback to an earlier era of the GOP but ultimately failed to resonate in a party now dominated by Donald Trump.

Hutchinson’s exit came a day after he finished sixth in Iowa’s leadoff caucuses, well behind Trump and other top rivals but also behind Ryan Binkley, a pastor who failed to qualify for any of the debates. Hutchinson was the last GOP candidate remaining in the race who was willing to directly take on Trump.

“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 said in a statement.

Hutchinson’s campaign manager, Alison Williams, said he wasn’t issuing an endorsement at this time.