2023-10-29 04:02:02
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Asa Hutchinson said Saturday that the manager of his embattled campaign for the Republican presidential nomination is retiring, but the former Arkansas governor said he is not leaving the crowded race.
Hutchinson confirmed that Rob Burgess will step down on October 31, and the challenger said he was planning other changes to his campaign. Hutchinson, who entered the race for the 2024 election in April, has struggled to make his way as an anti-Trump candidate. He failed to qualify for the party’s second debate and it seems unlikely that he will make it to the third, on November 8, when participants must meet the most stringent requirements yet.
“It’s clear that I’m working hard to win votes and increase my voting percentages, especially in the early states,” Hutchinson told The Associated Press. “It’s not unusual for a campaign to have a mid-course adjustment and that’s what you’ll see here with Rob’s departure and with the realignments we’ll be making to the campaign staff.”
CNN was the first outlet to report on Burgess’ departure. Burgess did not confirm the information, but said in a text message to the AP that he directed all questions from him to Hutchinson.
Hutchinson said he will announce a new campaign manager later.
Hutchinson has been one of the few Republican candidates willing to take on Trump directly and had called on the former president to drop out of the race after Trump was indicted in March by a New York grand jury. Before entering the race, Hutchinson said that Trump running for the White House was the “worst case scenario” for the Republican Party.
Burgess’ departure comes after other candidates have suspended their campaigns, including former Texas congressman Will Hurd and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, as well as businessman Perry Johnson. Conservative radio host Larry Elder said Thursday that he was ending his campaign. Former Vice President Mike Pence dropped out on Saturday.
Hutchinson acknowledged that he faces a tough battle for the nomination, but said he remained optimistic about his chances.
“The direction of our primary is going to have to change as voters reevaluate who is going to be our party leader and nominee,” Hutchinson said. “Right now, Trump is in first position. I have always believed that that will change, and I still believe it.”
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Associated Press writer Michelle Price in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
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