In the upcoming Republican primary debate in Miami, only five candidates will take the stage, making it the smallest stage in the race so far, as announced by the Republican National Committee. The debate will be the first of the primary campaign to air on national broadcast television, on NBC affiliates across the country.
The Five Candidates
The candidates participating in the third debate are:
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
- Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley
- Businessperson Vivek Ramaswamy
- Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina
- Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
Notable Absences
Missing from the debate stage are former Vice President Mike Pence, who suspended his campaign last month, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. Burgum had qualified for the last debate in September but did not meet the new polling threshold for this one.
Former President Donald Trump is once again skipping the debate, opting to host a campaign rally in neighboring Hialeah, Florida.
Qualification Criteria
To qualify for the debate, candidates needed to earn at least 4 percent in polling. This could be achieved by either two national surveys or one national survey plus two surveys from the early-nominating states. They also needed to receive donations from at least 70,000 individuals before the 8 p.m. deadline on Monday.
Upcoming Challenges
Sen. Tim Scott, who barely met the 4 percent polling threshold, faces a tougher challenge for the next debate in Alabama. The polling threshold rises to 6 percent for the fourth debate, potentially creating obstacles for Scott and Chris Christie.
Wednesday’s debate is a significant event in the Republican primary campaign, especially since it’s airing on national broadcast television. Sponsored by NBC News, the Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and the streaming site Rumble, it is a critical moment for the participating candidates to make their case to a broader audience. The debate begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
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