Asa Hutchinson served as the 46th governor of Arkansas and was re-elected in 2018. During his tenure, he positioned Arkansas as a national leader in computer science education, enacted over $250 million in tax cuts, and signed legislation exempting veterans’ retirement pay from state income tax. His leadership earned him the role of Chairman of the National Governors Association for 2021–2022, where his initiative focused on expanding computer science literacy.
Earlier in his career, President Ronald Reagan appointed Hutchinson as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. In 1996, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving three terms before being appointed by President George W. Bush as director of the Drug Enforcement Administration and later as an undersecretary at the Department of Homeland Security. His background made him a trusted national voice on issues including trade, energy, education, and national security.
Governor Hutchinson frequently contributed to policy discussions at the White House, particularly on health care, Medicaid, and education. A native of Gravette, Arkansas, he grew up on a small farm and earned his law degree from the University of Arkansas.
Asa Hutchinson
