Hutchinson throws support behind Haley days before New Hampshire primary

by Lauren Irwin - 01/20/24 5:28 PM ET

Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks during a campaign event, Jan. 3, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. Hutchinson is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination after finishing sixth in Iowa’s leadoff caucuses. The former Arkansas governor said Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, that his poor performance in Iowa showed him that he has no path to the Republican nomination. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who dropped out of the GOP primary this week, announced his endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley in a post online on Saturday, just days before the New Hampshire primary.

“Anyone who believes Donald Trump will unite this country has been asleep over the last 8 years,” Hutchinson posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Trump intentionally tries to divide America and will continue to do so. Go @NikkiHaley in New Hampshire. #FITN”

Hutchinson announced his decision to drop out of the race for the White House on Tuesday after he finished in sixth place in the Iowa caucuses. He congratulated former President Trump on his win, as well as the other candidates who barely made a dent in Trump’s lead.

Since launching his bid last April, Hutchinson was seen as a long-shot candidate, especially after his criticism of Trump mounted. He has called for the Republican Party to move on from the former president, who has a chance at becoming the GOP’s nominee for the third straight election.

Hutchinson’s comments follow similar lines to those of Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who suspended his campaign in December. Scott endorsed Trump at an event in New Hampshire Friday, saying the country needs a president “who will unite our country.” Scott has received criticism for his comments about Trump uniting the country, like Hutchinson’s endorsement message.

Gov. Chris Sununu (R), who endorsed Haley in Dec., criticized Scott and said nobody, not even the former president himself, believes that Trump will unite the country.

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Hutchinson’s endorsement comes just days before the Jan. 23 primary in the state. Trump currently has the most support in the state, with 46.7 percent support. Haley, thanks to several strong debate performances and Sununu’s endorsement has seen a steady increase in recent months and is closing in on Trump’s lead with 35.4 percent support, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ.