5 candidates meet criteria for third GOP debate

Five candidates have met the criteria to take the stage at the third Republican presidential debate in Miami, the Republican National Committee (RNC) announced Monday.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have all qualified for the third debate. 

The Miami debate is being hosted by NBC News, and the RNC is also partnering with Salem Radio Network, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and Rumble. It’s taking place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County.

The RNC required candidates to poll at 4 percent in two national polls, or 4 percent in one national poll and 4 percent in two polls from two early states. The RNC also upped the donor threshold requirement to at least 70,000 unique donors, including 200 donors in 20 or more states each.

“We are looking forward to our third debate in Miami, a welcome opportunity for our candidates to showcase our winning conservative agenda to the American people,” RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel said in a statement.

“We are especially honored to be the first political party to partner with a Jewish organization for a debate in our partnership with the Republican Jewish Coalition, and our candidates will reaffirm the Republican Party’s unwavering support of Israel and the Jewish community on the stage Wednesday night,” she added.

The third debate has slightly narrowed the field; former Vice President Mike Pence and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum both qualified for the second GOP debate but will not be on the Miami stage. Pence dropped out of the race in late October while Burgum is still running.

Former President Trump is skipping the third debate and instead holding a rally in nearby Hialeah, Fla., as a way to counterprogram the event. The rally is expected to include Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R), who endorsed Trump on Monday.