Former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced on Monday that she would run for governor of Arkansas in 2022.
“As governor, I will defend your right to be free from socialism and tyranny,” Sanders said in her nearly eight-minute launch. video. “Our state needs a leader with the courage to do what is right, not what is politically correct or convenient.”
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“With your support, I hope I will be the first woman to lead our state as governor,” she continued.
Sanders, the daughter of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, would create something of a Arkansas political dynasty if she won. She has been widely encouraged to run by former President Donald Trump since leaving the White House in June 2019.
“My father always said that the true test of a leader is not the way you deal with the issues you know, it’s rising to the moment in a crisis you could never have planned for,” Sanders said in the video said. “I was tested under fire.”
Her father, a Fox News contributor, quickly showed his support.
” A real remarkable lady has just announced that she’s going to do my old job [government] housing in which she grew up. Watch the video. Support her [with] prayer [and] contributions! Giddy up! ‘Write Huckabee further Twitter.
Sanders is seeking to replace current GOP ruler Asa Hutchinson, who is barred from running for re-election next year. Sanders joins an expensive Republican primary that already includes two leaders in the country, Lieutenant Gov. Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, then White House press secretary, speaks to the media during the daily press briefing on Monday, October 29, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik)
Sanders joined the Fox News Channel in September 2019 as a paid contributor on air. A Fox News Media spokeswoman confirmed on Sunday that her contribution agreement with the network had been terminated.
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Fox News reported earlier that Sanders was expected to announce her candidacy on Monday.
Fox News’ Yael Halon and the Associated Press contributed to this report.