On Friday, Francis Suarez said that he had qualified for the first Republican debate, something he ended up denying on Saturday. In a campaign statement, the presidential candidate had assured his presence on stage in Milwaukee (Wisconsin). However, in a subsequent interview with CNN, he acknowledged that he still lacks "final certification" from the RNC that he has met all the requirements.
"I am pleased to announce that I have met all the criteria to participate in the first debate of the GOP primary. Although our campaign began just a few weeks ago, I am honored to know that Republicans from all fifty states have donated to our campaign, nearly 50,000 so far," Suarez wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Just hours later, Miami's mayor said the Republican National Committee (RNC) is still finished reviewing whether he has met the polling requirement. Suarez cited a Kaplan Strategies poll in his favor, which puts him at 2% nationally, but RNC certification is still lacking. Therefore, the Republican technically has not yet qualified for the Republican debate.
“They have not yet given me that final certification,” Mayor Suarez says regarding qualifying for the RNC’s debate, though he says he’s confident he will, has booked the plane tickets to Milwaukee and signed the loyalty pledge. More on that pledge from our interview here: pic.twitter.com/lhOLB6TzSu
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 19, 2023
"So, you haven't actually gotten that number yet, to where the RNC says, 'Yes, you've made it,'" the CNN reporter asked, to which the candidate replied as follows: "Yeah, they have not yet given me sort of that, that final certification, you know there's sort of a back and forth like I said, it's a process," In addition, he added that he expects the endorsement to arrive during the weekend.
The requirements to qualify for the first Republican debate
In order to be eligible, candidates have to pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee, something both Trump and other candidates do not view favorably. Only DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Scott, Burgum, and Haley have signed the loyalty pledge drafted by the RNC.
"I affirm that if I do not win the 2024 Republican nomination of President of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and defeat 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."
In addition, they must meet donations from at least 40,000 domestic taxpayers, and the candidate must consistently obtain more than 1% in three national polls or two national polls and one state while having "at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in more than 20 states and/or territories." Finally, they may not participate in any external debates.
The deadline to comply with the requirements will be August 21, just 48 hours before the debate. Only polls carried out after June 1 will be valid.
