Hutchinson lays out strategy to nab GOP nomination after Trump conviction

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson outlined his belief that his long-shot GOP presidential campaign could pull ahead in the event of one or more criminal convictions of former President Trump in an interview with Politico. 

Hutchinson told the publication that he believed Trump will be convicted on at least one of the four federal and state indictments he faces during the GOP primary process. 

“I don’t know when that’s going to be. In April? Mid-summer? Whether that’s going to be in the fall after the convention,” Hutchinson told Politico. “But as long as I am able, I want to provide that alternative voice. And I’m not sure other candidates have that same level of commitment.”

Hutchinson has polled at 1 percent or less in most surveys of the primary field, only qualifying for the stage at the first debate. Despite this, he has outlasted several contenders who qualified for further debates, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

In his interview with Politico, he cited his status as the only candidate in that debate who did not raise his hand when asked if they would back Trump if he was both the party nominee and convicted. 

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has also been a vocal Trump critic in his campaign and, despite Hutchinson’s jabs at Trump, has cast himself as the only Republican willing to criticize the former president and GOP front-runner. Hutchinson expressed confidence he could surpass Christie in Iowa, where the former New Jersey governor has not campaigned.

Trump has consistently led the GOP field since announcing his reelection bid last year, with his closest competitors, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, lagging him by more than 50 points, according to The Hill and Decision Desk HQ’s aggregation of polls.