GOP Heavyweights Ready To Battle In California's Second Primary Debate, Here's Who Made It...

The candidates set to participate include North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, author and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and U.S. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina.

To qualify for the debate, candidates had to meet specific polling and fundraising thresholds set by the RNC. Notably absent from the list is former President Donald Trump, who is currently leading the GOP nominating contest. Trump opted out of the first debate last month and is scheduled to deliver a speech in Michigan on Wednesday night.

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With his commanding lead in the polls, Trump is seen as a formidable force, poised to secure the Republican nomination for the third consecutive election cycle. However, his absence from the upcoming debate provides an opportunity for the other candidates to showcase their platforms and gain momentum.

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RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel emphasized the party's unity and its shared goal of defeating President Joe Biden. In a press release, McDaniel stated, "Wednesday's debate is another opportunity for the RNC to share our diverse candidate field with the American people. The Republican Party is united around one common goal – Beating Biden – and there is no better place to showcase our conservative vision for the future than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library."

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September 26, 2023

The debate, which is set to take place at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, will be moderated by Stuart Varney from the Fox Business Network, Dana Perino from Fox News Channel, and Ilia Calderón from Univision, according to Fox News Media.

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In addition to the GOP primary debate, Fox News Media has also announced that Sean Hannity will moderate a debate between Governor Ron DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom on November 30 in Georgia. This debate will focus on the issues surrounding the recall effort against Newsom.