Miami Chosen as Host for Third Republican Primary Debate, Trump and DeSantis in the Spotlight
Miami has been selected as the host city for the third Republican Primary debate, set to take place in early November. While the exact date, location, and moderators have yet to be announced, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is being considered as an appropriate setting. This venue was previously chosen for the second debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden in October 2020.
Miami is a fitting location for the debate, as both the leading candidates, Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis, have ties to the Sunshine State. Although neither resides in Miami, this Magic City holds significance in the political landscape. CNN was the first to report the Republican National Committee’s selection of Miami as the debate site.
The criteria for participation in the third debate are still to be determined. However, there has been an increase in the minimum number of donors per candidate, rising from 40,000 to 50,000 between the first and pending second debates. Additionally, each participant must have at least 3% support in two national, RNC-approved polls. This requirement has been raised from 1% for the first debate held last month.
The second debate is scheduled to take place on September 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Interestingly, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez had launched his presidential bid at this very location. However, after being denied entry to the first debate, Suarez decided to suspend his campaign at the end of last month. Trump, who skipped the first debate, is likely to forego the second one hosted by Fox News and Univision, according to his allies.
Jason Miller, a campaign adviser to the former President, has indicated that Trump’s significant lead in polling makes him feel he doesn’t need to engage with the rest of the GOP field. Trump holds a massive lead over DeSantis, with a recent Fox News poll showing a 47-point advantage for the former President. DeSantis’ campaign has faced challenges in recent months, leading to a slump in his momentum.
Participants in the upcoming debate will be required to sign a pledge to support the party’s 2024 nomination winner, similar to the first debate in Milwaukee that took place on August 23. Notably, Trump declined to sign this pledge.
Back in October 2020, the Miami debate was canceled after Trump rejected a plan for the event to be held virtually, with both him and Biden appearing from remote locations. The Commission on Presidential Debates had selected the Adrienne Arsht Center four months earlier, referring to it as one of the world’s leading performing arts organizations and venues. In addition to the planned Republican Primary debate, the Arsht Center also hosted the first Democratic Primary debate of the 2020 cycle in June 2019.
Miami’s selection as the host city for the third Republican Primary debate highlights the significance of the Sunshine State in the upcoming election. With Trump and DeSantis both calling Florida home, the debate promises to bring these two influential figures to the forefront of the political discussion. The exact details regarding the date, location, and moderators of the debate are eagerly awaited by the public and the candidates alike.
