Milwaukee Republican presidential primary debate; RNC sets August date
Milwaukee Republican presidential primary debate; RNC sets August date
The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced on Friday, June 2 the first Republican presidential primary debate will take place on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. A news release says if enough candidates qualify to make it necessary, there will be a second debate on Aug. 24.
MILWAUKEE - The Republican National Committee (RNC) revealed the first Republican presidential primary debate will take place on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. A news release says if enough candidates qualify to make it necessary, there will be a second debate on Aug. 24.
To qualify, candidates will need to reach 1% in national polling, while also gaining donations from at least 40,000 people and pledging to support the eventual Republican nominee.
RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel on Friday, June 2 announced the criteria to qualify for the first debate.
Republican Party logo displayed on a phone screen and American flag displayed on a laptop screen are seen in this multiple exposure illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on August 25, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Candidate Status
- Candidates must be eligible to run for president
- Be a declared candidate with official forms filed with the Federal Election Commission
Polling
- Reach a minimum 1% in three national polls
- Or, reach a minimum 1% in two national polls, plus 1% in two of the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina
- For polls to count, the RNC requires they be conducted after July 1, not be done on behalf of a candidate, and have a sample size of at least 800 people, among other requirements
Fundraising
- Candidates need at least 40,000 donors
- A minimum of 200 donors in at least 20 states and territories
Candidate Pledge
- Candidates must pledge to support whoever becomes the Republican presidential nominee
- Candidates must also pledge not to join any debates not endorsed by the RNC
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Current polls
A national Marquette University Law School poll found last month that 46% of Republicans favor Donald Trump. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was well behind Trump with 25%. Then, the rest of the possible Republican field were in the single digits.
Candidates have roughly 80 days to meet the requirements in fundraising and polling, meaning the rush is on to get the donors and support to make the debate stage.
The candidate meeting the requirements and leading the polling will take center stage at the first GOP primary debate, which Fox News will broadcast from Milwaukee.
There's some question if former President Donald Trump will skip the first debate. He also has not agreed to support the eventual nominee.
The August debate will come 11 months before Republicans huddle inside Fiserv Forum, which will host the 2024 Republican National Convention. Hosting the debate and convention in Milwaukee will again highlight the important role Wisconsin plays in determining who wins the White House. Donald Trump won it in 2016; Joe Biden flipped it in 2020.
"The RNC is committed to putting on a fair, neutral, and transparent primary process and the qualifying criteria set forth will put our party and eventual nominee in the best position to take back the White House come November 2024, said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
Milwaukee hosted a Republican presidential primary debate back in 2015, broadcast on the Fox Business Network.