RNC announces which candidates qualified for first sanctioned GOP presidential primary debate

The Republican National Committee has confirmed which 2024 presidential primary candidates have qualified for the first sanctioned debate of the election cycle, Wednesday night in Milwaukee. 

The RNC said late Monday that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will be on stage at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, according to the New York Post.

The front-running candidate, former President Donald Trump, says he's skipping the debate. 

To qualify for the debate, candidates had to certify support from 40,000 unique donors, including at least 200 in 20 or more states or territories. They also had to reach 1% support in three qualifying national polls or two national polls and one poll taken in two of four early voting states – Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina, the Post also reports.

“The RNC is excited to showcase our diverse candidate field and the conservative vision to beat Joe Biden ” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said. 

Candidates also were required to sign a pledge not to take part in any unsanctioned debates and support the GOP presidential nominee.

Candidates who failed to qualify include Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd and radio talk show host Larry Elder.