First GOP Debate coming August 23

By Tami Stevenson

The first Republican primary debate will be held August 23, 2023, at the Fiserv Forum Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The debate is to be aired exclusively by Fox News from 9-11 p.m. E.T., moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

Eight candidates, so far, have met the qualifications, but not all have signed RNC’s not-so-popular loyalty pledge, that basically says they promise to back whoever becomes the GOP presidential nominee.

The eight candidates that have qualified so far are Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, Doug Burgum, Mike Pence and Chris Christie.

The second debate is scheduled to take place on September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

HOW IT WORKS
According to the RNC, participants will have to meet the following criteria:
1. Be constitutionally eligible and appropriately filed with the Federal Election Commission.

2. Sign pledges by August 21 indicating that they will not participate in any non-RNC debate and that they will support the eventual nominee.

3. Prove to the RNC by August 21 that they have polled above one percent since July in three national polls - or in two national polls and one poll from each of two different early primary states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina). The polls must meet RNC stated standards.

4. Prove to the RNC by August 21 they have attracted donations from at least 40,000 individuals, with at least 200 from each of 20 states or territories.

According to the format details by Semafor, candidates will not give opening statements, but will get 45 seconds for closing remarks. They will have one minute to answer a question and 30 seconds for follow-up questions.

Candidates that still have not qualified to participate in the first GOP debate are Will Hurd, Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Binkley, Francis Suarez and Larry Elder.

Although he qualified, Donald Trump has not committed to participating in this first debate, as yet.

Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin and is a key battleground state.