Former Congressman Asa Hutchinson has formally entered the race for the gubernatorial nomination for Arkansas governor.
Hutchinson on Monday filed paperwork to make official his bid for the state's top office. He is running against Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman for the Republican nomination.
Former Congressman Mike Ross is the only announced Democratic candidate.
Hutchinson told reporters after filing that he's staying out the debate about whether Arkansas should renew its compromise Medicaid expansion.
Legislation to reauthorize the "private option" has stalled in the state House during the past week.
This is Hutchinson's second run for Arkansas governor. He won the GOP nomination in 2006 but lost the general election to now-Gov. Mike Beebe.
Beebe, a Democrat, is barred by term limits from seeking re-election this year.