WASHINGTON – Republicans hoping to become their party’s presidential nominee will have two more opportunities to debate next month after it was announced Thursday that CNN will host a debate in Iowa and another in New Hampshire.
The first debate is scheduled for January 10 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and the second debate is scheduled for January 21 at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire.
The Iowa debate will take place just days before the Jan. 15 Iowa Republican primary, and the New Hampshire debate will take place just before the Jan. 23 primary.
“The events will provide Republican voters the opportunity to hear the governing philosophies of the leading candidates seeking to challenge the likely Democratic presidential nominee, President Joe Biden, in November,” CNN said in a statement written statement.
The CNN announcement said: “The Republican National Committee is expected to announce this week that it will release candidates from the requirement that prevents them from participating in debates not sanctioned by the RNC.”
Former President Donald Trump has not taken part in any of the primary debates.
The final Republican presidential primary debateThe event, held Wednesday evening, was attended by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor and Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy .
“I’m looking forward to the debate in Iowa!” DeSantis said on X after the announcement.
For the Jan. 10 debate in Iowa, Republican candidates must receive at least 10% in three statewide polls focused on likely GOP voters, with at least one of the polls focused on Republicans likely to caucus in Iowa.
For the Jan. 21 debate in New Hampshire, GOP politicians must score at least 10% in three statewide polls of likely Republican voters, with at least one of the qualifying polls focusing on GOP voters likely to cast a ballot in New Hampshire’s primary become .
In addition, invitations will be sent to the top three Republican presidential primary candidates following the Iowa caucuses.
Candidates must also meet constitutional requirements to become president.
