Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says he’s qualified for the first Republican presidential debate — while his rivals are hoping Trump will show up in Milwaukee at the last minute
- Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson qualified for the first GOP debate of 2024
- Hutchinson surpassed 40,000 unique donors on Saturday night
- He’s one of the few Republican presidential candidates willing to slam former President Donald Trump
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday that he has met the donor requirement and will appear on the debate stage in Milwaukee on Wednesday.
The 2024 Republican presidential nominee said he qualified by surpassing the required 40,000 individual donors on Saturday night, shared the news with USA Today and announced it Sunday morning on CNN’s State of the Union program.
Hutchinson told the US today that his fundraising surge was thanks to his tongue-in-cheek criticism of former President Donald Trump, something most Republicans have avoided.
“I’m going to be on stage,” Hutchinson said on CNN. “I am pleased to report that we have met all the criteria set by the RNC for the debate. We have met the survey criteria. And now we have met the criteria of 40,000 unique donors.”
Hutchinson’s admission comes at a time when Republican National Committee chair Ronna Romney McDaniel and several of Trump’s rivals have expressed hope that the ex-president will make a last-minute decision and participate in the first GOP debate .
Former Arkanas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is running for the 2024 GOP nomination, announced Sunday that he has qualified for Wednesday’s debate in Milwaukee. The Republican National Committee had donor and voting responsibilities
“I still hope that President Trump comes,” McDaniel said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. “I think it’s so important that the American people hear from all candidates.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence echoed this sentiment.
“I’ve served at the president’s side for a long time, and one thing I learned about him is that it’s not over until it’s over,” Pence said on ABC’s This Week. “So I actually still hope he shows up.”
Pence would not go as far as former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, another 2024 rival who has called Trump a “proven coward” for skipping the Milwaukee debate.
“They talk a little differently in New Jersey than we do in Indiana, Jon, I’ll let other people make their judgements,” Pence told ABC’s Jonathan Karl. “But I would hope he would be there, I hope everyone who qualifies for the debate stage – and I’m grateful we did – is on that stage.”
Trump is expected to skip the Fox News Channel-sponsored debate, moderated by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, after months of rowing with the conservative broadcaster.
He plans to release a pre-taped interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel said Sunday she “still harbors hope that President Trump will come” at Wednesday’s first GOP debate in Milwaukee
“Actually, I still hope he shows up,” former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday of former President Donald Trump’s plans to skip Wednesday’s first Republican debate in Milwaukee
The Washington Post reported Saturday that the meeting with Carlson has already taken place.
The RNC has not yet released an official list of the candidates who made it.
McDaniel said Sunday — around the same time Hutchinson announced he had qualified — that seven had definitely qualified and would be appearing at the debate, and several were on the cusp.
Candidates had to have 40,000 unique donors, including 200 each from 20 states, and also score at least 1 percent in three national polls or two national polls and two polls in early-competition states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
The seven who met the requirements are North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former UN ambassador. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Senator Tim Scott.
Trump could easily meet the requirements and also qualify.
Hutchinson’s announcement means he could be the eighth contestant to take the stage in Milwaukee.
Hutchinson said he would sign the RNC’s Pledge of Allegiance to support anyone nominated by the party.
A person familiar with the debate process told that Hutchinson’s donors have not been verified and he has not yet signed the pledge.
Two other candidates, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and businessman Perry Johnson, also claim they met the RNC’s qualifications.
The source also said Suarez and Johnson’s numbers have not been verified by the RNC.