Staff Reports
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has given candidates new rules for how to get into the second GOP primary discussion. The first debate will happen on August 23, and Fox News will hold it in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and UN representative, Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), former President Donald Trump, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have all qualified for this debate. But as of the end of July, new information shows that the former governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and the governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, will also be joining them, making a total of seven candidates on stage. The RNC says that the qualifications for the debate are based on poll data and support from donors.
RNC Releases New Rules for Candidates to Reach the Stage for Second GOP Primary Debate https://t.co/Ex3fo4kBiU
— RedState (@RedState) August 2, 2023
For the second discussion, which will take place on September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, the rules will be stricter. To qualify, candidates must get at least 3 percent of the vote in two national polls, or 3 percent in one national poll and 3 percent in two polls from different early election states (Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada). The polling requirement is higher than for the first debate, when candidates only needed 1 percent in three national polls or 1 percent in two national polls and 1 percent in two early-state polls to qualify.
In addition to meeting the polling requirements, candidates will also have to meet a new standard of 500,000 unique donors within 48 hours before the debate. This is up from the previous requirement of 400,000 donors. This means that candidates who aren't at the top of the list will have to do well in the polls and show strong backing from their donors. All candidates who want to take part in the RNC-sponsored debates must promise to back the eventual nominee, which could be hard for some candidates.
The RNC hasn't said yet which media source will work with them to put on the debate in September. The RNC has also made it clear that candidates can't agree to talks that haven't been approved by the RNC. As the date gets closer, any changes or news about candidates' involvement will be covered in updates.
