Republican presidential contender Donald Trump’s campaign is brushing off Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinon’s remarks that the candidate’s rhetoric is “frightening.” The governor made the comment this week on National Public Radio after endorsing Marco Rubio in the state’s March 1 primary.
Trump campaign spokesperson Katrina Pierson said she hasn’t listened to the full interview but has heard the sentiment before from establishment figures.
“We have heard a lot of politicians out there really trying to make people afraid to support Mr. Trump. But honestly, it’s not frightening to have someone that’s going to D.C. to use the bully pulpit, fight back against the media, and stand for the American person,” said Pierson.
She said it doesn’t bother the campaign that people like Governor Hutchinson are uneasy with Trump, it’s even a function of the message.
“Of course the politicians should be afraid. They’re the ones that are scared, they’re the ones that are afraid and they’re just projecting that onto the public,” she said.
Trump, Rubio, and Ted Cruz are campaigning in Arkansas this weekend. Hutchinson will join Rubio on stage at an event in Conway on Monday. A Talk Business & Politics/Hendrix College poll earlier this month showed Cruz with a small lead over Trump and Rubio in the state.
Cruz, Trump, and Ben Carson have campaigned in Arkansas twice before. Rubio’s first trip to Arkansas was the day after the South Carolina primary. A Trump rally earlier this month was the largest draw of any candidate with 7-9 thousand people in attendance at Little Rock’s Barton Coliseum.