Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former President Trump’s White House Press Secretary and
daughter of Mike Huckabee, Christian minister and former of Governor of Arkansas has announced she is running for Governor of Arkansas.
"I've been tested under fire, successfully managing one crisis after another, in one of the most difficult, high-pressure jobs in all of government," Mrs. Sanders said in a video announcing her bid. "At the table with President Trump, confronting our most dangerous adversaries like China and North Korea."
Mrs. Sanders reminded Arkansans in her announcement video that she was just the third woman and first mother to serve as White House press secretary. She added that she will "not be intimidated by the serious challenges we face."
She vowed to stand with law enforcement officers, prohibit sanctuary cities, including blocking state funding for cities that "deliberately violate immigration laws" and fight for the working poor.
"With the radical left now in control of Washington, your governor is your last line of defense," Sanders added. "As governor, I will defend your right to be free of socialism and tyranny. Your Second Amendment right to keep your family safe and your freedom of speech and religious liberty. Our state needs a leader with the courage to do what's right, not what's politically correct or convenient," she said according to reporting by NPR.
Former President Donald Trump quickly officially endorsed his former press secretary, saying "Sarah Huckabee Sanders is a warrior who will always fight for the people of Arkansas and do what is right, not what is politically correct… Sarah is strong on Borders, tough on Crime, and fully supports the Second Amendment and our great law enforcement officers."
CBS News 19 reports Mrs. Sanders had been widely expected to run after leaving the White House in 2019 to return to Arkansas. She was one of now-former President Donald Trump’s closest aides and after near-daily squabbles with the White House press corps, she brings instant name recognition in a solidly red state where Republicans tend to embrace the former president.
"Everything we love about America is at stake," said Sanders in the video that started with a recounting of a conversation with a soldier overseas. "With the radical left now in control of Washington, your governor is your last line of defense."
Sarah Huckabee Sanders joins two statewide Republican elected leaders in the May 2022 primary. Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge declared last year their hopes to succeed current Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who is unable to run next year due to term limits. Griffin and Rutledge have combined raised more than $2.8 million in the race, which could get even more crowded. Republican State Sen. Jim Hendren, who is also a nephew of Gov. Hutchinson's, said he will make a decision on running soon.
To learn more about Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her campaign for Governor of Arkansas click here.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders
Governor of Arkansas
Trump administration
Mike Huckabee
White House press secretary
sanctuary cities
immigration
Second Amendment
freedom of speech
Trump endorsement
Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge