Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas announced Monday that he won't run for president in 2024.

This announcement makes Cotton the first big-name Republican to remove their name from consideration in the wake of reports that former President Trump plans to announce his bid.

Cotton's decision, first reported by Politico, was based on his desire to remain close to his family, and a national campaign would not allow that.

An Afghanistan and Iraq War veteran, Cotton made a name for himself in the Republican party largely by taking bold stances on cultural issues, which included an op-ed in 2020 for the New York Times, where he suggested the military be sent in to control Black Lives Matter protests.

Cotton explored the possibility of running in 2024. He had visited Iowa and New Hampshire numerous times, building his profile in the states which hold the party's first two nominating contests.

Cotton, 45, has maintained a strong national security reputation amongst his Republican peers due to his consistent stance on U.S.- China relations. In August, Cotton appeared on Fox News to challenge China's ability to buy U.S. farmland, a stance that is mostly shared by both Democrats and Republicans.

A graduate of Harvard University, Cotton was considered a rising star within the Republican party since his 2014 victory over incumbent Democrat Sen. Mark Pryor.

The lingering question as to whether Trump will run in 2024 did not play a role in Cotton's decision, as the senator had been one of few Republicans to say a Trump bid would not defer his plans.

Other GOP hopefuls include former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Of that list, only Haley has gone on record saying she would not challenge Trump.

Following reports that Trump is planning to announce his 2024 bid sometime in November, the few GOP members who dare to challenge him must soon make the decision: challenge their prohibitive party leader or remain in the shadows.

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