Full list: The GOP candidates who qualify for Fox News debateErin Doherty
Nine Republican presidential candidates appear to have qualified for the Republican National Committee's first 2024 debate on August 23.
Why it matters: The Fox News debate presents an opportunity for Republican 2024 hopefuls to try to launch their campaigns — but they're likely to face the absence of Republican front-runner former President Trump.
Driving the news: Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez seem to have hit the fundraising and donor requirements, according to FiveThirtyEight and some of their campaigns.
A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to Axios' request for confirmation.
Trump has indicated that he will not participate in the debate, despite urging from RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel, who said last month that it would be "a mistake" for him to skip.
State of play: The RNC said earlier this year that candidates seeking to qualify for the August debate will need 40,000 unique donors, including at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in at least 20 states and/or territories.
Candidates also need at least 1% support in three independent national polls or two national polls and one independent poll from two of four early-voting states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
The polling requirement must be met at least 48 hours before the first debate and they must be conducted after July 1, per the RNC.
The final debate requirement is for candidates to sign a pledge vowing to support the eventual 2024 GOP nominee. Some candidates, including Christie, are resistant to vowing to support Trump if he is the nominee amid his legal woes.
Between the lines: Pence has taken aim at some of his Republican rivals who have turned to unconventional fundraising tactics to boost their small-dollar donor support and qualify for the debate.
"We’re not doing kickbacks. We’re not doing gift cards. We’re not even giving out soccer tickets," Pence said during an interview with Semafor ahead of meeting the qualifications.
"We’re just asking people for support, and it’s rolling in," he said.
What to watch: The first GOP presidential primary debate, hosted by Fox News, will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 23 from 9-11 pm ET.
https://www.axios.com/2023/07/25/2024-republican-debates-qualify-gop
