It may be the week before finals, but University of Iowa College Republicans found time to do their homework on GOP presidential hopeful Asa Hutchinson, the candidate said.
Justin Petkus, a UI computer science student from Illinois, asked Hutchinson in a meetup Monday at Heirloom Salad Co. in Iowa City why the former Arkansas governor vetoed a bill in 2021 that would have prohibited gender-affirming care for transgender minors in Arkansas.
“If it would have been a more reasonable bill I would have signed it,” Hutchinson told seven students. “If it’s surgery, the state has an interest in saying no. (But) parents ought to be able to make decisions for their children.”
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in March signed Senate File 538, which bans gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapies, puberty blockers and cosmetic surgeries for minors.
Hutchinson formally announced his bid for the Republican nomination for president last week on Bentonville, Ark.
He told the students Monday his priorities would be creating growth in the private sector, controlling spending and reducing the power of government. The hourlong talk ranged from economy and the debt ceiling to artificial intelligence and freedom of speech.
Jasmyn Jordan, a UI sophomore from Normal, Ill., studying political science and international relations, said she was frustrated when Republican students chalked campus sidewalks to promote conservative speaker Matt Walsh, who spoke on campus in April, but other students used water to wash off their messages.
“We aren’t really allowed to think what we want,” she said. “What are your thoughts about freedom of speech on college campuses?”
Republican residential candidate Asa Hutchinson addresses questions from the University of Iowa College Republicans on Monday in Iowa City. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
Hutchinson said one of his four children is left-leaning and he believes some of those ideas came from teachers and the educational system. He encouraged prospective students to consider whether a college or university teaches “leftist philosophy” before attending.
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“Voices should not be silenced,” he said, adding he does not want federal dollars to go to hiring more diversity, equity and inclusion staff at colleges and universities.
Hutchinson said the U.S. needs to continue to be a leader in developing artificial intelligence to protect against China. He signed a bill requiring computer science to be taught in Arkansas high schools, increasing the number of students in these classes from 1,100 to 23,000, he said.
Hutchinson told the students he was sure he could beat President Joe Biden in a general election, but “my challenge is making it through a Republican primary.” He asked the students for advice on doing well in Iowa’s Republican caucuses.
One student suggested hitting small towns in all 99 Iowa counties, a strategy popularized by U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley. Another joked Hutchinson must proclaim corn his favorite vegetable.
Hutchinson said he supports term limits and wants to see more young people involved in politics.
“We need young people who are engaged,” he said. “We need a combination of energy, wisdom and experience.”
Hutchinson was scheduled to meet with the Johnson County GOP at 6 p.m. Monday at the Miller Learning Center in Iowa City and with the Linn County GOP at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Parlor City Pub & Eatery in Cedar Rapids.
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Justin Petkus, a UI computer science student from Illinois, asked Hutchinson in a meetup Monday at Heirloom Salad Co. in Iowa City why the former Arkansas governor vetoed a bill in 2021 that would have prohibited gender-affirming care for transgender minors in Arkansas.
“If it would have been a more reasonable bill I would have signed it,” Hutchinson told seven students. “If it’s surgery, the state has an interest in saying no. (But) parents ought to be able to make decisions for their children.”
Advertisement
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in March signed Senate File 538, which bans gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapies, puberty blockers and cosmetic surgeries for minors.
Hutchinson formally announced his bid for the Republican nomination for president last week on Bentonville, Ark.
He told the students Monday his priorities would be creating growth in the private sector, controlling spending and reducing the power of government. The hourlong talk ranged from economy and the debt ceiling to artificial intelligence and freedom of speech.
Jasmyn Jordan, a UI sophomore from Normal, Ill., studying political science and international relations, said she was frustrated when Republican students chalked campus sidewalks to promote conservative speaker Matt Walsh, who spoke on campus in April, but other students used water to wash off their messages.
“We aren’t really allowed to think what we want,” she said. “What are your thoughts about freedom of speech on college campuses?”
Hutchinson said one of his four children is left-leaning and he believes some of those ideas came from teachers and the educational system. He encouraged prospective students to consider whether a college or university teaches “leftist philosophy” before attending.
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“Voices should not be silenced,” he said, adding he does not want federal dollars to go to hiring more diversity, equity and inclusion staff at colleges and universities.
Hutchinson said the U.S. needs to continue to be a leader in developing artificial intelligence to protect against China. He signed a bill requiring computer science to be taught in Arkansas high schools, increasing the number of students in these classes from 1,100 to 23,000, he said.
Hutchinson told the students he was sure he could beat President Joe Biden in a general election, but “my challenge is making it through a Republican primary.” He asked the students for advice on doing well in Iowa’s Republican caucuses.
One student suggested hitting small towns in all 99 Iowa counties, a strategy popularized by U.S. Sen Chuck Grassley. Another joked Hutchinson must proclaim corn his favorite vegetable.
Hutchinson said he supports term limits and wants to see more young people involved in politics.
“We need young people who are engaged,” he said. “We need a combination of energy, wisdom and experience.”
Hutchinson was scheduled to meet with the Johnson County GOP at 6 p.m. Monday at the Miller Learning Center in Iowa City and with the Linn County GOP at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Parlor City Pub & Eatery in Cedar Rapids.
Hutchinson asks college students how he can win Iowa caucuses
Republican presidential candidate Asa Hutchinson told UI students Monday his priorities would be creating growth in the private sector, controlling spending and reducing the power of government.
www.thegazette.com
