Arkansas: Asa Hutchinson, who just finished serving two terms as governor of Arkansas, announced Sunday that he would run for the Republican nomination for president, positioning himself as a rival to Donald Trump just days after the former president was charged with crimes by a grand jury in New York.
Trump should withdraw from the race, according to Hutchinson, who claimed that "the office is more important than any individual person."
Hutchinson said he was running because "I believe that I am the right time for America, the right candidate for our country and its future." He made his announcement on ABC's "This Week." "I'm convinced that people want leaders who appeal to the best of America rather than just our baser instincts," he continued.
Also Read: Los Angeles: Train derails across river in US Montana
Since Trump became the only former US president to ever face criminal charges, he is the first Republican to run for office. The GOP's willingness to support those who oppose Trump will be put to the test by Hutchinson's candidature. Others who have criticised Trump, such as the former governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, decided not to run for office because they realised it would be difficult to win a primary.
Later on Sunday, Hutchinson told the Associated Press that it was critical for voters to have a choice in leadership and "not just go by default to somebody who is really wrapped up in what happened in the past."
Also Read: Death toll climbs to 32 after tornadoes rip US states
"I don't believe you need to be cocky. I believe you are capable of being sincere and genuine, and that is what I hope to be able to provide, he said.
Conservatives, who continue to oppose the Social Democrats' economic policies and are unlikely to work with them, challenged Marin's party's positions on the Finnish economy, which had become a major campaign theme.
Throughout the election, Orpo hammered home the points that Finland's government debt was rising and that budget cuts were necessary. NCP is open to working with The Finns because despite their divergent views on EU issues and climate policies, the two parties largely agree on the need to develop Finland's economy.
While Finland's decision to apply for NATO membership in May 2022 was prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, neither the historic decision to end the country's non-alignment policy nor the war emerged as key campaign issues because there was broad agreement among the parties on membership.
Finland is a member of the European Union and is anticipated to join NATO in the upcoming weeks. 71.9 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots at the polls, a slight decline from the turnout in the 2019 election.
