Republican Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Considers Participation in Third GOP Presidential Debate
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Entrepreneur and author Vivek Ramaswamy waves as he arrives to take part in the first Republican Presidential primary debate at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 23, 2023. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI / AFP) (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is weighing his options regarding his participation in the third GOP presidential nomination debate, scheduled to take place in Miami on November 8. Ramaswamy, a multimillionaire biotech entrepreneur and first-time presidential candidate, stated that he will evaluate whether taking the stage at the debate “advances substantive debate.”
Former President Donald Trump, who remains the leading contender in polls and fundraising for the Republican nomination, has already opted out of the debate. Trump’s campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, announced last month that Trump would not be participating. The campaign is also calling for all future debates to be canceled, suggesting that the Republican National Committee (RNC) should focus its efforts on defeating Democrats in the upcoming elections.
The RNC, which organizes the debates, raised the polling and donor thresholds for candidates to qualify for the third debate. To participate, each candidate must have a minimum of 70,000 unique donors to their campaign or exploratory committee, including 200 donors in 20 or more states. Additionally, candidates must reach 4% support in two national polls, or 4% in one national poll and 4% in two statewide polls conducted in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, or South Carolina.
Ramaswamy confirmed that he meets the criteria for the third debate but may still choose to opt out, following Trump’s example. He emphasized that his decision will be based on what best advances substantive debate for the future of the Republican Party and the country. Ramaswamy’s campaign is currently weighing the options and considering the potential impact of his participation in the debate.
The third debate, scheduled almost two months before the Iowa caucuses, is a crucial event for the 2024 GOP presidential nominating calendar. The Republican National Committee has selected partners such as NBC News, Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), and Rumble for the debate, which will be held at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.
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