Republican National Committee sets first presidential debate for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee

It will be lights, cameras and political action in Milwaukee on Aug. 23 as Republicans officially announced the date and criteria for their opening presidential debate.

And if enough candidates qualify to make it necessary, there will be a second debate on Aug. 24, the Republican National Committee said Friday.

The move will ramp up the campaign season in the city where Republicans will host their national convention next year. The debate will be broadcast by Fox News in partnership with Rumble and Young America’s Foundation.

“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.” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.

To get on the stage, contenders will have to meet criteria in four major areas: candidate status, polling and fundraising along with signing a series of candidate pledges including “agreeing to support the eventual party nominee.”

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There’s a minimum polling threshold of reaching 1% in a variety of ways. And a minimum fundraising measure of 40,000 unique donors.

The Republican field is already getting crowded and includes former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are expected to launch their candidacies next week as is North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is also weighing a potential run. Lesser-known candidates Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, and radio host Larry Elder have also filed.

One big question remaining is will Trump show up for the opening clash?

Earlier this year, The New York Times reported that Trump is “likely to skip at least one of the first two debates” and “has made it clear that he does not want to breathe life into his Republican challengers by sharing the stage with them.”

Here’s the full criteria list from the RNC announcement:

Candidate Status:

Be eligible to run (natural born U.S. citizen, resident for 14+ years, 35 years or older).
Have declared his or her candidacy.
Have an active FEC Form 2 (Statement of Candidacy) filed with the FEC in which they identify as a candidate for the Republican nomination.
Have an active FEC Form 1 (Statement of Organization) filed with the FEC designating the candidate’s principal campaign committee.

Polling:

Poll at least 1% in three national polls or 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate “carve out” states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina) recognized by the RNC.

For a poll to be recognized, it must:

Survey at least 800 registered likely Republican voters through a mix of live calls, integrated voice response, online panels, and/or text message.
Not overly weight responses of any individual cohort beyond the margin of the error of the poll.
Ask the question on presidential preference prior to any question which may allow potential bias.
Not be a conducted by a polling company affiliated with a candidate or candidate committee.
Meet this polling requirement no later than 48 hours prior to the first scheduled debate and must be conducted on or after July 1, 2023.