With the countdown to the first Republican presidential primary debate underway, a group of eight candidates has deftly navigated the polling and fundraising gauntlet, earning their coveted positions on the stage.
Unveiling their strict entry criteria last month, the Republican National Committee (RNC) set the bar for aspirants seeking the GOP nomination. This inaugural debate, slated to unfold on August 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 9 p.m. ET, will be hosted by Fox News.
To secure a coveted spot under the spotlight, candidates must chart their path to prominence by achieving a minimum of 1% support in three national polls. Alternatively, they can earn their place with 1% backing in two national polls along with a duo of state-specific polls from the early voting bastions of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, or Nevada. These RNC-approved polls should carry a date stamp on or after July 1.
Complementing the polling yardstick, candidates are tasked with rallying a troop of at least 40,000 distinct donors to bolster their campaign coffers. This contribution quilt must be stitched together with at least 200 donors representing each of the 20+ states or territories outlined in the RNC’s intricate mosaic.
Emerging victorious from this dual challenge, the following candidates have not only navigated the polling labyrinth but also mastered the fundraising tango, thus clinching a coveted spot on the debate stage:
North Dakota’s stalwart Governor, Doug Burgum
The indomitable former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie
The resolute Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis
The dynamic former Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley
The iconic former Vice President, Mike Pence
The enterprising entrepreneur, Vivek Ramaswamy
South Carolina’s steadfast Senator, Tim Scott
The enigmatic former President, Donald Trump
Yet, as the stage begins to take shape, some Republican contenders still strive to surmount the fundraising pinnacle set by the RNC, hoping to stake their claim in the debate’s hallowed arena. As of the most recent tally:
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson remains in pursuit, working to scale the fundraising summit.
Conversely, others have scaled the fundraising heights but endeavor to capture the elusive polling star. In this realm:
Miami’s pioneering Mayor, Francis Suarez, charts his course toward polling triumph.
Pledge-bound to the RNC’s stipulations, all candidates set to grace the debate stage commit to rallying behind the ultimate Republican presidential nominee. Furthermore, they pledge to eschew any unauthorized debates outside the RNC’s ambit for the entirety of the 2024 election cycle. As a final touch, they vow to open the channels of data-sharing with the national party committee, a cornerstone of transparency and cooperation.
Inscribing their names into this accord are:
Visionary entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy
Florida’s steadfast Governor, Ron DeSantis
As the curtain inches closer to its unveiling, the RNC mandates that candidates deliver their fundraising scrolls at least 48 hours prior to the opening act of this monumental debate. The stage, ablaze with political fervor, will play host to this pivotal moment on Fox News. Streaming in step with the digital age, Rumble joins as the online partner, and standing as collaborators, the Young America’s Foundation helps to shape the discourse of this inaugural debate.