Asa Hutchinson

Asa Hutchinson: biography

Asa Hutchinson is an American politician, businessman and attorney who served as the governor of the state of Arkansas from 2015 till 2023. He also has been a member of the Republican Party and has been involved in politics for many years.

Childhood and youth

Asa Hutchinson was born on December 3, 1950, in Bentonville, Arkansas. He was the third child of John Malcolm Hutchinson and Coral Virginia Hutchinson. Asa grew up in a large family, with six siblings, and was raised on a farm outside of Gravette, Arkansas.

Growing up, Asa Hutchinson was a hard worker and helped his family with the farm chores. He attended Gravette High School, where he was a member of the football team and was involved in student government. After graduating from high school, Hutchinson attended Bob Jones University in South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Following his graduation, Hutchinson returned to Arkansas and attended law school at the University of Arkansas. He received his law degree in 1975 and began his legal career in Bentonville. He worked as a private practice attorney for several years before being appointed as a U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas by President Ronald Reagan in 1982.

Hutchinson's early years were shaped by his family's strong work ethic and his involvement in sports and student government. These experiences instilled in him a sense of discipline, teamwork, and a desire to serve others. They also provided a foundation for his future career in law and politics, where he would continue to work hard and serve his community and country.

Before starting his political career, Asa Hutchinson worked in the business world. After earning his bachelor's degree in accounting from Bob Jones University, he became a certified public accountant and worked for the accounting firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, for several years.

Hutchinson later went on to work in the banking industry, serving as the president of a community bank in Springdale, Arkansas. He also served as the chairman of the Arkansas State Banking Board and was involved in several other business ventures, including a real estate development company.

Throughout his business career, Hutchinson gained valuable experience in finance, management, and entrepreneurship. This experience would serve him well in his later roles as a U.S. Congressman, administrator of the DEA, and governor of Arkansas, where he would be responsible for overseeing large budgets, implementing policies, and leading teams of employees.

Political career

Asa Hutchinson's political career began in the late 1980s, when he was appointed as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. He served in this position until 1990, when he ran for and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Arkansas's 3rd congressional district.

During his time in Congress, Hutchinson served on several committees, including the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on International Relations. He also became known for his work on immigration reform and his efforts to combat illegal drugs.

After leaving Congress in 2001, Hutchinson was appointed as the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by President George W. Bush. He served in this role until 2003, when he was appointed as the undersecretary for border and transportation security at the United States Department of Homeland Security.

In 2006, Hutchinson ran for governor of Arkansas, but he was defeated in the Republican primary. He then worked as a consultant and commentator for several years before running for governor again in 2014. This time, he was successful, defeating Democrat Mike Ross in the general election.

As governor of Arkansas, Hutchinson has focused on issues such as economic development, education, and healthcare. He has also been involved in national politics, serving as a delegate to several Republican National Conventions and running for the party's presidential nomination in 2008. Most recently, he has been in the news for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where he has been a vocal advocate for vaccines and has implemented policies to encourage vaccination in Arkansas.

Asa Hutchinson achieved a resounding victory in his reelection bid on November 6, 2018, winning over 65% of the vote and carrying all but eight counties. Despite the challenging political climate for the Republican Party across the country, Hutchinson managed to secure the largest margin of victory for a GOP candidate in Arkansas history.

Personal life

Asa Hutchinson is happily married to Susan Burrell. They have four children together.

In his free time, Hutchinson enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking. He is also a fan of college sports, particularly football and basketball, and has been a strong supporter of the University of Arkansas.

Honors

• Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from John Brown University (1990)
• “Friend of the Taxpayer” Award from the National Taxpayers Union (1998, 2000)
• “Spirit of Enterprise” Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2000)
• “Justice for Children” Award from the National Association of Attorneys General (2001)
• “Excellence in Counter-Narcotics Award” from the DEA (2003)
• “Humanitarian Award” from the American Legion (2005)
• “Arkansas Lawyer of the Year” Award from the Arkansas Bar Association (2006)
• Induction into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame (2009)
• “Friend of Children” Award from the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families (2012)
• “Man of the Year” Award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (2015)
• “Courage in Leadership” Award from the National Lieutenant Governors Association (2019)