[1/2] Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks next to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds during a "Fair-Side Chat" hosted by the governor at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S., August 12, 2023.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Several top Republican presidential contenders on Wednesday will take part in the first debate of the 2024 primary election cycle.
All major Republican candidates will be present with one major exception: former President Donald Trump.
The candidates are also required to sign a pledge certifying that they will support the eventual Republican nominee.
Several more are likely to take place, however, with an October debate likely to occur in Alabama, according to a person familiar with the operations of the Republican National Committee.
Persons:
Ron DeSantis, Kim Reynolds, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Mike Pence, Chris Christie, Doug Burgum, Asa Hutchinson, Martha MacCallum, Bret Baier, Trump, Gram Slattery, Ross Colvin, Alistair Bell
Organizations:
Republican, Iowa, Fair, REUTERS, Rights, Fox News, Democratic, WHO, Trump, New, Republican National Committee, Thomson
Locations:
Iowa, Des Moines , Iowa, U.S, Milwaukee, Fox News . Wisconsin, Florida, New Jersey, North Dakota, Arkansas, California, Alabama