The Republican National Committee on Friday laid out its criteria for candidates to qualify for the first Republican presidential primary debate, establishing a key fund-raising threshold and requiring candidates to pledge to support the eventual party nominee.
A second debate could be held on Aug. 24 if enough candidates qualify, the R.N.C.
The candidates must also have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors to their campaign, with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory, in 20 states and territories, according to the committee.
The 40,000-donor debate threshold is likely to prove a consequential and costly barrier to some underfunded candidates.
Republican campaigns had already been told informally about the criteria, and some were racing to ensure they had enough donors.
Organizations:
Republican National Committee, Republican
Locations:
Milwaukee