After meeting with a group of Republican governors, President Donald Trump endorsed Asa Hutchinson on Monday, the day before the state's primary election.
Trump wrote on Twitter that the "great Governor of Arkansas" has "done an incredible job with a focus on lower taxes, border security, and crime prevention."
He also praised the govenor's support of the military and veterans before saying he fully endorses Hutchinson.
Hutchinson faces Jan Morgan, a Hot Springs gun range owner, in the primary. She has accused the governor of not being conservative enough on a host of issues, including tax cuts and health care.
The tweet came after Trump dined Monday evening with Republican governors supportive of his immigration policies to discuss plans for border security and deporting people in the U.S. illegally.
.@AsaHutchinson, the great Governor of Arkansas, is in a primary tomorrow. He has done an incredible job with a focus on lower taxes, border security, and crime prevention. Asa loves our military and our veterans. I fully endorse Asa for Governor!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2018
Trump said the nation's immigration laws are the worst of anywhere in the world, particularly so-called catch-and-release policies, under which federal immigration officers release those detained for being in the U.S. illegally pending legal proceedings. Trump said: "We have to end it."
He added that progress on a border wall is being made but calls on Congress to provide more funding toward his signature campaign promise.
Other governors in attendance were Doug Doucey of Arizona, Phil Bryan of Mississippi, Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Henry McMaster of South Carolina.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
