Second GOP Presidential Debate: Who’s In, Who’s Out On Wednesday

In a pivotal moment for the Republican Party, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, will serve as the backdrop for the second GOP presidential nomination debate this Wednesday evening. The Republican National Committee (RNC) unveiled on Monday the roster of seven GOP stalwarts who have made the cut for this televised face-off, set to air on FOX Business Network (FBN) and UNIVISION between 9-11pm ET.

The contenders, listed alphabetically, comprise North Dakota’s Gov. Doug Burgum, New Jersey’s former Gov. Chris Christie, Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis, ex-South Carolina Gov. and former ambassador Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, biotech magnate and political analyst Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina’s Sen. Tim Scott.

RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel articulated the significance of the debate, stating, “This Wednesday offers a prime platform for the RNC to present our eclectic mix of candidates to the nation. Our party stands united with a singular mission – to triumph over Biden. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is the quintessential venue to spotlight our conservative blueprint for the nation’s future.”

In a move to ensure party unity, the candidates were mandated to endorse a pledge, committing their support to the eventual GOP presidential nominee. This pledge also binds them to abstain from any non-RNC sanctioned debates throughout the 2024 election cycle and mandates data-sharing with the national party committee.

However, former President Donald Trump, despite meeting the donor and polling prerequisites, refrained from endorsing the RNC’s pledge. Citing his dominant position in the nomination race, Trump chose to be conspicuously absent from the inaugural debate and has signaled his non-participation in the upcoming one as well.

Ex-Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who had qualified for the inaugural debate, missed the mark for the second round. To earn a spot in this debate, aspirants had to meet specific polling and donor criteria set by the RNC. This included rallying a minimum of 50,000 unique donors, with at least 200 donors from 20 or more states, and securing 3% support in two national polls or a combination of one national and two state polls from Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, or South Carolina.

Notably, among those who couldn’t clinch a spot for both debates were 2022 Michigan gubernatorial hopeful Perry Johnson, ex-CIA operative and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, and Larry Elder, previously a national radio host and a contender in California’s 2021 gubernatorial recall. Miami’s Mayor Francis Suarez, after failing to qualify for the first debate, decided to halt his campaign.