Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Declares His Support for Ranked Choice Voting

Asa Hutchinson
Photo by Gage Skidmore / Flickr. Creative commons license.
Created: 19 Apr, 2024
Updated: 22 Apr, 2024
2 min read

Photo By: Gage Skidmore / Flickr

 

In a recent episode of The Purple Principle, a podcast that examines democracy and polarization from a nonpartisan lens, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said that while he was skeptical of ranked choice voting at first, he now sees it as a meaningful solution to elect candidates with the broadest appeal.

"I resisted ranked choice and different initiatives that would weaken the two political parties," he said. "Now I don't see it as weakening the parties as much as forcing the candidates to say, 'We've got to appeal to a broad swath of the American electorate."

Many voters may not know or remember that Hutchinson ran for the GOP presidential nomination in the 2024 cycle. His candidacy flew under the radar as the media covered Trump's legal issues or other candidates subject to controversy for their own reasons, like Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Whatever the media thought was best for ratings.

Hutchinson had one of the larger political resumes among the field of a dozen Republicans who ran for their party's nomination:

He served in Congress for a brief period from 1997 to 2001. He was the head of the DEA under President George W. Bush, served as undersecretary of Homeland Security for Border and Transporation Security, and, of course, he was governor of Arkansas.

IVP Donate

To many, Hutchinson represents part of the political establishment that has long rejected innovative nonpartisan solutions to improve choice, competition, and accountability in elections -- while also ensuring that the equal voting rights of all citizens are respected. 

However, Hutchinson joins other established politicians like Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and US Senators Mitt Romney and Joe Manchin in supporting nonpartisan electoral reform. All three say they have always supported the idea of RCV or changed their mind like Hutchinson. 

Hutchinson is also part of a growing list of Republicans who recognize that RCV does not inherently benefit one party or the other. These elections can strengthen Republicans, Democrats, and/or candidates outside the two major parties depending on where the elections are held.

This makes RCV a truly nonpartisan solution.

Watch Hutchinson speak on RCV above. The full episode of The Purple Principle with Asa Hutchinson can be watched here

In this article

Related articles

I voted stickers
In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory
OAKLAND, CALIF. - In a dramatic shift following the ...
18 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
Oakland and San Francisco
Analysis: Popular Oakland Ranked Choice Voting System Used to Decide City's Next Mayor
Editor's Note: This analysis on FairVote's website and has been republished on IVN with permission ...
16 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
Oakland, CA
Oakland Votes in Pivotal Mayoral Election with Ranked Choice Voting at the Center
OAKLAND, CALIF. - In a critical special election, Oakland voters are casting their ballots on April ...
15 Apr, 2025
-
5 min read

Latest articles

I voted stickers
In Oakland, Barbara Lee's RCV Strategy Seen as Critical to Mayoral Victory
In a dramatic shift following the April 15 special mayoral election in Oakland, former U.S. Representative Barbara Lee has been declared the winner, pulling into a commanding lead over former Councilmember Loren Taylor, as vote counting continues....
18 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
Bernie Sanders
Sanders and AOC Wrap 'Fighting Oligarchy' Tour and Bernie Takes the Mic at Coachella
US Senator Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrapped up their Fighting Oligarchy Tour on April 16, after a five-day, seven-stop sweep through the West that drew nearly 150,000 people—capping it off with an unexpected appearance by Sanders at the Coachella music festival....
18 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read
AOC
Is Bernie Passing the Torch to AOC for the 2028 Presidential Election?
US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) continues to make waves in US politics. She is co-headlining rallies across the country with US Sen. Bernie Sanders as part of the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour," which has drawn large crowds even in GOP strongholds....
17 Apr, 2025
-
4 min read