Full list: The GOP candidates who qualified for the Fox News debate
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From 2018: President Trump casts a shadow as he greets the three Americans just released from North Korea. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Eight Republican presidential candidates have qualified for Wednesday's primary debate, and former President Trump wasn't on the list.
Why it matters: The Fox News debate presents an opportunity for Republican 2024 hopefuls to try to launch their campaigns.
Zoom in: The following candidates hit the fundraising and donor requirements and signed the pledge agreeing to support the eventual nominee, the Republican National Committee said late Monday:
- Former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
- The campaigns of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and businessman Perry Johnson both claimed that they had qualified for the debate, but they did not make the RNC's final list.
- Trump has indicated that he will not participate in the debate, despite urging from McDaniel, who said last month that it would be "a mistake" for him to skip.
State of play: The RNC said earlier this year that candidates seeking to qualify for the August debate would need 40,000 unique donors, including at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in at least 20 states and/or territories.
- Candidates also needed at least 1% support in three independent national polls or two national polls and one independent poll from two of four early-voting states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
- The polling requirement had to have been met at least 48 hours before the first debate and conducted after July 1, per the RNC.
- The final debate requirement was for candidates to sign a pledge vowing to support the eventual 2024 GOP nominee. Some candidates, including Christie, were resistant to vowing to support Trump if he is the nominee amid his legal woes.
Between the lines: Pence has taken aim at some of his Republican rivals who have turned to unconventional fundraising tactics to boost their small-dollar donor support and qualify for the debate.
- "We’re not doing kickbacks. We’re not doing gift cards. We’re not even giving out soccer tickets," Pence said during an interview with Semafor ahead of meeting the qualifications.
- "We’re just asking people for support, and it’s rolling in," he said.
What to watch: The first GOP presidential primary debate, hosted by Fox News, will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Aug. 23 from 9-11 pm ET.
- It's unclear as of Wednesday morning whether Burgum will be able to participate in the debate.
- He injured his leg while playing basketball and was taken to the emergency room on Tuesday, per a campaign source, and it's not yet known whether he will be able to stand at the debate.
Go deeper: RNC taps Ruthless Podcast for "GameDay"-style debate pregame
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the RNC and information on Gov. Burgum's leg injury.
