GOP candidates to meet voters at Exeter Town Hall
Series of public forums scheduled for Oct. 10-15
A series of forums in New Hampshire featuring Republican candidates for president promises to put a premium on voters asking questions and getting thoughtful, in-depth answers from the 2024 hopefuls.
That is the goal for the Oct. 10-15 candidate forums presented by Seacoastonline, USA TODAY and the USA TODAY Network at the historic Exeter Town Hall. And it’s what many voters have been saying they want after two recent debates.
The format of the town halls, which are free and open to the public on a firstcome, first-served basis, will be simple. Candidates will offer some brief opening remarks and then for the rest of the hour they’ll take questions from the audience and have a meaningful conversation.
All the candidates scheduled to appear have compelling personal stories and clear visions of where they want to lead America as president. We encourage you to come to the town halls to get to know them better. Doors open one hour before the town halls begin.
Here’s a look at the candidates who have committed to appear in the forums at Exeter Town Hall:
Asa Hutchinson, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will get things started.
Hutchinson served two terms as Arkansas governor, from 2015 to 2023.
“In 2018, he was re-elected with 65% of the vote, having received more votes than any other candidate for governor in the state’s history,” according to his National Governor’s Association biography, where he served a term as chairman. “He won recognition for the state as a leader in computer science education, cut taxes by over $250 million and signed a law that exempts the retirement pay of veterans from state income tax.”
In a video announcing his candidacy, Hutchinson said, “I not only balanced the budget, but created record surpluses. I’m deeply concerned about our nation’s $32 trillion debt. We have to stop living off borrowed money.”
Hutchinson served as a U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas under Ronald Reagan and in 1996 won the first of three terms to the U.S. House. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and in 2003 as an undersecretary at the Department of Homeland Security, where he was responsible for border security.
“I served as head of the DEA and I’m prepared to provide real solutions for the Fentanyl crisis our communities face when it comes to securing our border,” Hutchinson said in a video announcing his candidacy. “I had that responsibility under President Bush and I know what needs to be done.”
Hutchinson has been critical of former President Trump, urging him to drop out of the race and has been a strong supporter of U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Love this,” Haley tweeted in response. “It means we are in 2nd and moving up fast. Bring it!.”
In her campaign announcement Haley anticipated Trump’s attacks.
“You should know this about me,” she said. “I don’t put up with bullies.