Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced on Friday that he met the requirements for the Republican National Committee‘s first primary debate next week, but within hours, the RNC pumped the brakes on those claims.
While the campaign is claiming that he qualifies, a person familiar with the RNC’s process said he has not qualified yet, a blow to Suarez’s long-shot campaign.
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“I am so excited to be able to deliver my message of prosperity to the entire nation, to introduce myself to the nation,” Suarez said in his video announcement. “This is the beginning of an incredible moment for our country and for our city.”
If you haven’t heard, I’ve got an exciting announcement to make.#FXS24 pic.twitter.com/DxUQEawego
— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) August 18, 2023
As of now, there are eight candidates who are eligible for the debate stage excluding Suarez, although one candidate, former President Donald Trump, has indicated he may not attend.
Long-shot candidate Perry Johnson claimed on Friday that he qualified for the debate, which the RNC has not yet confirmed. The organization will likely release the final list of candidates who made the debate early next week.
“We did it! I’m officially going to be on the debate stage in Milwaukee next Wednesday,” he said. “My #TwoCents Plan has caught fire in recent weeks and days and I can’t wait to bring it to the stage.”
?CAMPAIGN MILESTONE?
We did it! I’m officially going to be on the debate stage in Milwaukee next Wednesday. My #TwoCents Plan has caught fire in recent weeks and days and I can’t wait to bring it to the stage.
Thank you to everyone who helped me get there! pic.twitter.com/fsm5O35AJt
— Perry Johnson (@PJQualityGuru) August 18, 2023
Time is nearly running out for 2024 Republican candidates to qualify for the first primary debate next week. Candidates have until Monday night to prove they are eligible for the debate, 48 hours before next Wednesday’s make-or-break event in Milwaukee.
The RNC required candidates to meet a 40,000 unique donor threshold, including 200 unique donors in 20 states or territories, and receive at least 1% in three national polls or 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate early nominating states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, or South Carolina.
Other candidates who previously met the debate requirements include Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Other candidates, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) struggled to raise enough funds or reach 1% in polls but eventually hit the threshold and will participate in the debate. One incentive that Suarez, Ramaswamy, and Burgum all offered their supporters was a $20 gift card if they donated $1 to their campaign to meet the fundraising requirements.
Two other 2024 candidates, former Texas Rep. Will Hurd and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, do not appear to have met the qualifications and are in danger of not making the debate stage. Larry Elder, another long-shot candidate, is almost certain not to meet the debate’s polling or fundraising requirements.
Trump, the front-runner in the race, has repeatedly suggested he won’t attend the debate given his opposition to the RNC’s loyalty pledge. On Thursday night he once again teased not attending the debate on his social media platform Truth Social.
“Many people are asking whether or not I will be doing the DEBATES? ALL AMERICANS have been clamoring for a President of extremely High Intelligence. As everyone is aware, my Poll numbers, over a “wonderful” field of Republican candidates, are extraordinary,” he posted. “People know my Record, one of the BEST EVER, so why would I Debate? I’M YOUR MAN. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Some of Trump’s rivals, including DeSantis and Christie, have challenged Trump to debate them as a chance for Republican voters to decide who the better candidate is. But so far it doesn’t appear Trump will accept their baiting.
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Further complicating Trump’s attendance is that his lawyers are reportedly working out a deal with Georgia’s Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over a bond package after Willis indicted Trump and 18 others over their alleged efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results Monday night.
Willis is giving all of those indicted until Aug. 25 at noon to turn themselves in. Trump’s five indictments across four criminal cases are sure to be among the debate topics, whether he attends or not.
