MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) — RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has announced the benchmarks that declared Presidental candidates must hit to qualify for the party’s first debate in August.
Candidates must meet requirements in four different categories including eligibility to run for the office (being a natural-born US citizen and filing all paperwork). They must also have at least 40,000 unique donors to their campaign.
Candidates must also hit polling criteria including:
- Poll at least 1% in three national polls OR 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate “carve out” states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina) recognized by the RNC. For a poll to be recognized, it must:
- Survey at least 800 registered likely Republican voters through a mix of live calls, integrated voice response, online panels, and/or text message.
- Not overly weight responses of any individual cohort beyond the margin of the error of the poll.
- Ask the question on presidential preference prior to any question which may allow potential bias.
- Not be a conducted by a polling company affiliated with a candidate or candidate committee.
- Meet this polling requirement no later than 48 hours prior to the first scheduled debate and must be conducted on or after July 1, 2023.
Debate participants must also sign a data-sharing pledge and promise to back the Republican party’s eventual nominee for President. They must also agree to not participate in any debates not sponsored by the RNC.
The debate will be held on August 23rd. If enough candidates qualify the party will plan a second debate on the 24th as well. The location for the debate has yet to be determined.
