Republican nominee is doing tricks to get on the debate stage: Doug Burgum is offering $20 gift certificates for every $1 donation and Vivek Ramaswamy is offering PAY BACK supporters
- GOP candidates come up with creative ways to expand their donor base
- You must have 40,000 unique donors in 20+ states to have the first debate
- It will take place on August 23rd in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Republican presidential candidates are considering creative ways to expand their donor base to ensure they can participate in August’s first GOP debate.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is offering $20 gift cards to those who donate $1 to the Longshot’s campaign – citing Biden Relief Cards’ efforts to combat “Biden inflation.”
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy vowed in a video message Monday to democratize political fundraising, promising self-proclaimed poolers that he would give them back 10 percent of fundraising dollars they raise from others.
While giving nominees recognition for their innovations, it also helps them meet the Republican National Committee’s donor requirements to participate in the August 23 debate in Milwaukee.
The RNC announced in June that participants in the Milwaukee debate must have at least 40,000 unique donors, with at least 200 donors per at least 20 states.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is giving donors $20 gift cards when they donate $1 to his campaign. He says it’s about tackling “biden inflation,” but he also needs 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 donors per at least 20 states, to get into the August debate
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said in a video Monday that he would return 10 percent to those who pooled funds for his campaign. He said it was about democratizing political fundraising, but he needed to expand his donor base to get on the debate stage
Polls from July 1st will also make it easier for candidates to enter the debate.
They must be at 1 percent in at least three statewide polls, or at 1 percent in two statewide polls and one early state poll — in Iowa, New Hamphire, Nevada, or South Carolina.
The surveys must be recognized by the RNC.
So far this month, no nationwide polls have been conducted.
The latest nationwide poll in June, conducted by Fox News, included former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, Senator Tim Scott, former Ambassador. Nikki Haley, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and conservative talk radio host Larry Elder are at 1 percent or more.
Burgum was not yet at 1 percent in the polls.
There were also no new candidates — former Congressman Will Hurd and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
Candidates submit their poll and donor information to the RNC just prior to the debate date and have 48 hours before the first debate to submit their qualifications.
Some campaigners contacted by showed their confidence that they were already there.
DeSantis’ campaign told that he had already met the donor requirements.
Scott’s campaign referenced a TV hit he made on Monday and told Fox News it would qualify.
Haley’s campaign told she would also be on stage.
The former South Carolina governor and UN ambassador has raised nearly 160,000 donations for her presidential campaign, with donors located in all 50 states.
Former President Donald Trump has indicated he is likely to skip the first debate because all of his rivals are well behind him in the polls.
In an interview with Portal last month, he hinted that he might instead engage in counter-programming.
“We’ve received a lot of offers, whether it’s a rally or an interview with someone else,” he said. “I don’t want to be arrogant, but the debate won’t be very exciting if I’m not there.”