Eight Candidates Set to Take the Stage in Historic First Republican Primary Debate of 2024 Presidential Cycle

Eight candidates are set to appear onstage this week in the battleground state of Wisconsin for the first Republican primary debate of the 2024 presidential cycle. The Republican National Committee (RNC) confirmed Monday night that the eight candidates who qualified and opted to participate are: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Former Vice President Mike Pence, Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.

The debate will also feature Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, former Rep. Will Hurd of Texas, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who was invited to participate despite not meeting the RNC’s criteria. Former President Donald Trump appeared to have met the party’s polling and fundraising thresholds, but he won’t be on the stage, as he has refused to sign the RNC’s pledge to support the eventual nominee and announced he would skip the debate.

The debate will be a chance for the candidates to make their case to Republican voters without the distraction of Trump’s presence. It will be the first time many of the candidates have had the opportunity to make their case to a national audience. The debate will be held Wednesday night in Milwaukee and will be moderated by Fox News anchor Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.

The debate will be a chance for the candidates to highlight their policy positions and distinguish themselves from the rest of the field. It will also be a chance for the candidates to make their case to Republican voters without the distraction of Trump’s presence. With Trump out of the picture, the debate could be a breakout moment for one of the eight candidates and could shape the direction of the 2024 Republican primary.