First GOP primary debate field now set

The Republican National Committee has announced eight candidates have qualified for the first GOP primary debate scheduled to be held in Milwaukee Wisconsin Wednesday and be televised by Fox News. The candidates include former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Governor Doug Bergum, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. Noticeably absent is the front runner Donald Trump, who has a commanding lead in the polls and for that reason has elected not to attend the debate. To qualify candidates must garner 40,000 individual voters and register at least 1 percent support in three national polls or two national and two early state polls that meet the RNC’s criteria. The first debate will begin at 8:00 p.m. central time.