The positioning was determined based on polling.
Former President Donald Trump, who has an overwhelming lead in the polls, would have been center stage. However, with him not in attendance, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will occupy the two center positions.
On Mr. DeSantis’s right, or stage-right, will be former Vice President Mike Pence, former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.), and former Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.).
On Mr. Ramaswamy’s left, or stage-left, will be former South Carolina Gov. and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.).
Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the debate, which will be at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“The RNC is excited to showcase our diverse candidate field and the conservative vision to beat Joe Biden on the debate stage Wednesday night,” said Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement. “I’d like to thank the RNC’s debate committee Chairman Dave Bossie and Co-Chair Anne Hathaway and our debate partners, Fox News, Young America’s Foundation, and Rumble for their work to kick off the primary process that will put our Party and eventual nominee in the best position to take back the White House next fall.”
The RNC’s requirements for getting onto the first debate stage included polling at least 1 percent in three national polls, or polling 1 percent in two national polls plus 1 percent in a poll recognized by the RNC in two of the early states, including Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada.
Another requirement for candidates was having 40,000 unique donors to their principal presidential campaign committee, with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in more than 20 states and/or territories.
Finally, a notable requirement included signing a pledge to support the eventual party nominee.
In the pledge, the candidates consent “to appear in only primary and general election debates that have been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, pursuant to Rule 10(a)(11) of The Rules of the Republican Party. I acknowledge and accept that if I fail to sign this pledge or if I participate in any debate that has not been sanctioned by the Republican National Committee, I will not be eligible to participate in any further Republican National Committee sanctioned debates.”
The pledge goes on to state: “Additionally, I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination for President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the 2024 Republican presidential nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden.
“I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.”
