Republican presidential primary debate (September 27, 2023)
Date: November 5, 2024  |
 Kamala Harris (D) Donald Trump (R) Jill Stein (G) Chase Oliver (L) |
2028 • 2024 • 2020 • 2016 |
The Republican Party held a presidential primary debate in Simi Valley, California, on September 27, 2023. It was the second Republican primary debate scheduled for the 2024 presidential election.
Seven candidates met the polling and fundraising thresholds and signed several Republican National Committee pledges to qualify by the September 25 deadline. For a more detailed overview of the debate qualification criteria, click here.
This page provides an overview of the hosts, venue, moderators, qualifications, and participants.
Click here for a summary of the first Republican presidential primary debate on August 23, 2023.
Click here for a summary of the third Republican presidential primary debate on November 8, 2023.
Debate overview
Video
- Watch the debate on the Republican Party's Rumble channel here.
- Read the Rev transcript of the debate here.
By the numbers
Candidate highlights
This section includes highlights for each presidential candidate with a focus on policy. The following paraphrased statements were compiled from debate transcripts. A candidate's opponents are generally not mentioned in his or her summary unless there was a significant exchange between them.
Doug Burgum discussed the United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes, crime, healthcare, education, foreign policy, energy, and his business experience. Burgum said the UAW was striking due to Biden’s electric vehicle subsidies. Burgum said strict gun laws are ineffective at reducing crime and that crime is best addressed by supporting the family, mental health, and law enforcement. Burgum said high healthcare costs were due to federal involvement and subsidies. Burgum said education policy was a state issue, and that North Dakota coordinated with teachers’ unions, supported school choice, and innovated in education. Burgum said we are in an economic, agricultural, and cyber war with China. He said the Biden administration’s foreign policy was one of appeasement with China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Burgum said climate change policy was a national security threat. Burgum said his experience working as a technology CEO would allow him to make government work faster and more efficiently. Burgum was the least active participant in the debate, speaking for 7.7 minutes.
Chris Christie discussed the government shutdown, immigration, crime, education, foreign policy, his experience as governor, abortion, and Donald Trump. Christie said Democrats and Republicans deserve blame for a government shutdown, and that both the Trump and Biden administrations increased the national debt. Christie said he would treat immigration as a law enforcement issue and send the National Guard to the border to stop fentanyl coming over the border. Christie said he had record prosecutions in his office as a U.S. Attorney, and he would appoint an attorney general to bring crime in cities under control. Christie said he closed racial learning gaps as governor by expanding school choice, and that teachers unions advocated for their worst members and not students. Christie said that if Russia wins in Ukraine it would expand its invasion to Poland. Christie said that he was the only blue state governor on stage and that Republicans need to win blue states. Christie said he believes in states' rights to decide abortion policy, and that the country needs a leader who is pro-life for a person's entire life, not just nine months in the womb. Christie criticized Donald Trump for not appearing at the debate to express his views to Republican voters and for creating division. Christie was the fourth-most active participant in the debate, speaking for 10.5 minutes.
Ron DeSantis discussed the economy, China, border security, healthcare, education, foreign policy, abortion, and the 2022 midterms. DeSantis said people in Washington are shutting down the American dream and national sovereignty, and causing inflation. DeSantis criticized Trump and Biden for increasing the national debt. DeSantis called for a China policy involving deterrence, economic independence, and cultural independence. DeSantis said he would treat Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. DeSantis said high healthcare costs were a symptom of inflation, economic decline, and government overspending. DeSantis said Florida enacted universal school choice and a parents’ bill of rights, and eliminated critical race theory. DeSantis said he would not write a blank check for Ukraine or send U.S. troops to the conflict. DeSantis said pro-life policies did not cause midterm defeats for Republicans, and Republicans should hold Democrats accountable for their extremism on abortion. DeSantis said he delivered a red wave in Florida in 2022. DeSantis was the second-most active participant in the debate, speaking for 12.1 minutes.
Nikki Haley discussed the United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes, border security, crime, China, healthcare, education, and energy. Haley said UAW workers were striking due to federal overspending and inflation, and that she would reduce taxes to put more money in workers’ pockets. Haley said she would secure the border, defund sanctuary cities, increase border patrol and ICE personnel, and return to a remain-in-Mexico policy. Haley said she would address crime by increasing criminal prosecutions and supporting law enforcement. Haley said she would give government contracts to American companies before Chinese companies. Haley said she would address high healthcare costs by increasing transparency, fixing tort law, increasing competition, and giving patients the ability to decide their healthcare plans. On education, Haley said she would address student proficiency gaps, support school choice and transparency for parents, increase vocational training, and give states more control over education. Haley said she would send special operations to target Mexican drug cartels, and end normal trade relations with China until they stop providing fentanyl to cartels. Haley said Trump only focused on trade with China and that as president she would do whatever it takes to keep every American safe. Haley said that she would support American energy producers. Haley was the fifth-most active participant in the debate, speaking for 10.4 minutes.
Mike Pence discussed the United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes, immigration, his governing experience, federalism, firearm violence, parents’ rights, and energy. Pence said the UAW strikes were caused by inflation and the Green New Deal agenda prioritizing foreign investment over American investment. Pence said he supported right-to-work policies. Pence said as Vice President he negotiated the remain-in-Mexico policy, built hundreds of miles of border wall, and reduced illegal immigration. Pence said he would make the federal government smaller by returning Obamacare, housing, and HHS funding to states, and shutting down the Department of Education. Pence said he would support legislation establishing an expedited death penalty for mass shooters. Pence said we need to protect kids from a radical gender ideology agenda and that he'd pass a federal ban on transgender chemical or surgical surgery. He said we need to empower parents to choose where their kids go to school. Pence said he would open federal lands to energy production, and make the U.S. the world's leading energy producer. Pence was the sixth-most active participant in the debate, speaking for 9.6 minutes.
Vivek Ramaswamy discussed the economy, immigration policy, transgender policy, drug abuse, foreign policy, and federal spending. Ramaswamy said he would deliver economic growth by reducing unemployment benefits and federal regulations, and increasing energy production. Ramaswamy said he would militarize the U.S.-Mexico border, stop sanctuary cities, and end birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. Ramaswamy said he would address fentanyl use by securing the southern border and addressing mental health through faith-based approaches. Ramaswamy said transgenderism, especially in kids, is a mental health disorder. Ramaswamy said he supported a federal law requiring schools to notify parents of their children’s gender transition and a ban on genital mutilation or chemical castration for children. Ramaswamy said U.S. support for Ukraine was driving Russia and China closer, and that he would pursue a reasonable plan for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. Ramaswamy said he would appoint a new Federal Reserve chair to stabilize the U.S. dollar, reduce the number of federal employees by 75%, and rescind unconstitutional federal regulations. Ramaswamy was the most active participant in the debate, speaking for 12.5 minutes.
Tim Scott discussed the United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes, immigration, childcare costs, birthright citizenship, race in America, foreign policy, and federal spending. Scott said unions and the federal government should not overpromise and underdeliver, leaving taxpayers on the hook. Scott said fentanyl made all counties in the country border counties, and he would finish the border wall and reinstate Title 42. Scott said he would address childcare costs by reducing taxes to give parents more resources to decide how to take care of their family. Scott said that the 14th Amendment was originally written for slavery, not for birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants. Scott said the greatest problems facing Black people in America are caused by fatherlessness incentivized by welfare, and that America is not a racist country. Scott said financial support for Ukraine is the best way to prevent Russia from attacking a NATO country and drawing American troops into the conflict. Scott highlighted his positions on the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Finance Senate committees, and said the key to preventing terrorist attacks in the U.S. is having the right intelligence partners. Scott said he supported a federal balanced budget amendment and said he would reduce the national debt by growing the economy with jobs in the energy and manufacturing sectors. Scott was the third-most active participant in the debate, speaking for 11.4 minutes.
Who qualified?
On September 25, 2023, the Republican National Committee said the following candidates qualified for the first Republican primary debate:[1]
- Doug Burgum (R)
- Chris Christie (R)
- Ron DeSantis (R)
- Nikki Haley (R)
- Tim Scott (R)
- Mike Pence (R)
- Vivek Ramaswamy (R)
Former President Donald Trump (R) said he would not attend the debate, instead planning to hold a campaign rally at Drake Enterprises, an automotive part manufacturer in Michigan.[2]
Former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) was the only candidate who qualified for the first debate and then did not qualify for the second. In a statement, Hutchinson said, "I understand that the RNC and the media are trying to reduce the number of candidates, but I measure success based on the response I receive in early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire. [...] I intend to continue doing that and look forward to holding a press conference in Detroit on Wednesday where I will highlight [Trump's] false promises to blue collar and union workers in Michigan and across America."[3]
Venue
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel announced in April 2023 that the second Republican presidential primary debate would be held in Simi Valley, California, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.[4]
Fox News, Univision, and Rumble broadcasted the debate live on September 27, 2023. McDaniel said, "We are looking forward to continuing our fair, neutral and transparent primary process in Simi Valley to elect the next President of the United States."[5]
Qualifications
Candidate status
A candidate must meet the constitutional requirements to be eligible, have declared their candidacy, and have active statements of candidacy and organization filed with the Federal Election Commission.[6]
Polling
No later than 48 hours before the debate, a candidate must receive 3 percent support or more in two national polls, or 3 percent support in one national poll and two early state polls—Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and/or Nevada. Recognized polls were required to survey at least 800 likely Republican voters through a mix of polling methods, not overly weight any individual cohort more than the poll's margin of error, ask the presidential preference question before any other than might skew an individual's response, and not be conducted through a candidate or candidate committee.[6]
Fundraising
Candidates must also provide verifiable evidence that they have 50,000 unique campaign donors, with at least 200 unique donors from 20 different states or territories.[6]
Candidate pledge
Candidates are required to sign pledges agreeing to the following no later than 48 hours prior to the debate:
- Not participate in any debates not sanctioned by the RNC for the rest of the election cycle
- Support the eventual party nominee
- Participate in the RNC data-sharing agreement
Republican presidential primary debates, 2023-2024
The following table provides an overview of the date, location, host, and number of participants in each scheduled 2024 Republican presidential primary debate.
| 2024 Republican presidential primary debates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debate | Date | Location | Host | Number of participants |
| First Republican primary debate | August 23, 2023 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin[7] | Fox News[8] | 8 |
| Second Republican primary debate | September 27, 2023 | Simi Valley, California[9] | Fox Business, Univision | 7 |
| Third Republican primary debate | November 8, 2023 | Miami, Florida[10] | NBC News, Salem Radio Network | 5 |
| Fourth Republican primary debate | December 6, 2023 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama[11] | NewsNation, The Megyn Kelly Show, the Washington Free Beacon | 4 |
| On December 7, 2023, CNN reported the RNC would lift its ban on non-RNC sanctioned debates.[12] | ||||
| Fifth Republican primary debate | January 10, 2024 | Des Moines, Iowa[12] | CNN | 2 |
| Sixth Republican primary debate | January 18, 2024 | Manchester, New Hampshire[13] | ABC News, WMUR-TV, New Hampshire Republican State Committee | Cancelled |
| Seventh Republican primary debate | January 21, 2024 | Goffstown, New Hampshire[12] | CNN | Cancelled |
Republican primary debate participation, 2023
Historical analysis, 2016-2024
The section below provides analysis of presidential primary debate participation in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
Number of debates and participants
Participation by presidential nominees
The table below indicates whether the Democratic or Republican Party presidential nominees participated in each presidential primary debate in 2016 and 2020.
The 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, Joe Biden (D), and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton (D), both participated in all of the primary debates during their respective election cycles.
Donald Trump (R), the 2016 Republican presidential nominee, did not participate in the seventh Republican primary debate that cycle. At the time, Trump's campaign said, "Unlike the very stupid, highly incompetent people running our country into the ground, Mr. Trump knows when to walk away. Roger Ailes and FOX News think they can toy with him, but Mr. Trump doesn’t play games."[14]
Trump also declined to attend a primary debate originally scheduled for March 21, 2016. Former Ohio Governor John Kasich (R), who was also running for the nomination, said he wouldn't attend if Trump didn't, leaving Ted Cruz (R) as the only active candidate who said he would participate. The debate was subsequently canceled.[15]
| Presidential nominee primary debate participation, 2016-2020 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Nominee | First debate | Second debate | Third debate | Fourth debate | Fifth debate | Sixth debate | Seventh debate | Eighth debate | Ninth debate | Tenth debate | Eleventh debate | Twelfth debate |
| 2020 | Joe Biden (D) |  |
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N/A |
| 2016 | Hillary Clinton (D) | |
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N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2016 | Donald Trump (R) | |
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Primary debate criteria, 2016-2024
The table below provides an overview of the polling and fundraising criteria for the first five primary debates in 2016, 2020, and 2024
| Primary debate criteria, 2016-2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | First debate | Second debate | Third debate | Fourth debate | Fifth debate | ||||||||
| 2024 Republican primary | Polling: 1% support in three national polls, or 1% support in two national polls and one early state poll; and Fundraising: 40,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 200 unique donors per state in at least 20 states. |
Polling: 3% support in two national polls, or 3% support in one national poll and two early state polls; and Fundraising: 50,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 200 unique donors per state in at least 20 states. | Polling: 4% support in two national polls, or 4% support in one national poll and two early state polls; and Fundraising: 70,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 200 unique donors per state in at least 20 states. | Polling: 6% support in two national polls, or 6% support in two early state polls; and Fundraising: 80,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 200 unique donors per state in at least 20 states. | Polling: 10% support in three national or Iowa polls | ||||||||
| 2020 Democratic primary | Polling: 1% support in three national or early state polls; or Fundraising: 65,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 200 unique donors per state in at least 20 states.[16] | Polling: 2% support in four national or early state polls; or Fundraising: 130,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 400 unique donors per state in at least 20 states.[17] | Polling: 3% support in four national or early state polls, or 5% support in at least two early state polls; or Fundraising: 165,000 unique campaign donors, with a minimum of 600 unique donors per state in at least 20 states. | ||||||||||
| 2016 Democratic primary | Polling: 1% support in three national polls[18] | ||||||||||||
| 2016 Republican primary | Polling: 10 highest-polling candidates in 5 most recent recognized national polls | Polling: 1% support in three national polls | Polling: Average of 3% in six recognized national polls[19] | Polling: Average of 2.5% in four recognized national polls.[20] | Polling: In recognized polls, receive an average of 3.5%, or 4% in either Iowa or New Hampshire.[21] | ||||||||
See also
Use the dropdown menu below to navigate Ballotpedia's coverage of 2024 Republican presidential primary debates.
- Republican presidential primary debates
- Republican presidential primary debate (August 23, 2023)
- Republican presidential primary debate (September 27, 2023)
- Republican presidential primary debate (November 8, 2023)
- Republican presidential primary debate (December 6, 2023)
- Republican presidential primary debate (January 10, 2024)
- Republican presidential primary debate (January 18, 2024)
- Republican presidential primary debate (January 21, 2024)
Footnotes
- ↑ Republican National Committee, "RNC ANNOUNCES PARTICIPANTS FOR SECOND DEBATE IN CALIFORNIA," September 25, 2023
- ↑ Michigan Advance, "Trump to speak Wednesday at non-union Macomb Co. automotive parts manufacturer," September 25, 2023
- ↑ Twitter, "Hutchinson on September 25, 2023," accessed September 26, 2023
- ↑ The Hill, "McDaniel announces California will host second GOP debate for 2024," April 20, 2023
- ↑ Republican National Committee, "RNC ANNOUNCES FOX BUSINESS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY DEBATE WITH PARTNERS REAGAN FOUNDATION, UNIVISION, AND RUMBLE," August 9, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Politico, "Revealed: The criteria for the second Republican primary debate," August 1, 2023
- ↑ The Hill, "RNC votes to hold first presidential debate in Milwaukee," February 23, 2023
- ↑ Fox News, "Fox News will host first 2024 Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee," April 12, 2023
- ↑ The Hill, "McDaniel announces California will host second GOP debate for 2024," April 20, 2023
- ↑ Reuters, "Third Republican primary debate to be in Miami in early November," September 14, 2023
- ↑ Associated Press, "Qualification markers grow even tougher for next month’s 4th GOP presidential debate, in Alabama," November 3, 2023
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 CNN, "CNN to host two GOP presidential primary debates in 2024," December 7, 2023
- ↑ ABC News, "ABC News to host GOP presidential debate before New Hampshire primary," December 7, 2023
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Trump says he won’t participate in GOP debate on Fox News," January 26, 2016
- ↑ NBC News, "2016 GOP Debate Cancelled After Trump Says He Won't Attend," March 16, 2016
- ↑ The first and second primary debates had the same qualification criteria.
- ↑ The third and fourth primary debates had the same qualification criteria.
- ↑ The first through fifth primary debates had the same qualification criteria.
- ↑ This is the criteria for the 8:00 p.m. debate. The 6:00 p.m. debate required candidates to have 1% in any one of the recognized polls.
- ↑ This is the criteria for the 9:00 p.m. debate. The 7:00 p.m. debate required candidates to have 1% in any one of the recognized polls.
- ↑ This is the criteria for the 8:30 p.m. debate. The 6:00 p.m. debate required candidates to have 1% in four separate national, Iowa, or New Hampshire recognized polls.
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