WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP) : Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy, the two Indian American Republican aspirants in 2024 presidential race, are on track to qualify for the first Republican primary debate on Aug 23 in Milwaukee, according to media reports.
Haley and Ramaswamy would be facing off with former President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, South Carolina senator Tim Scott and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie during the debate in Milwaukee − the largest city in the key battleground state of Wisconsin.
Several other candidates including former Vice Present Mike Pence, Will Hurd, Doug Burgum, Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Binkley, Francis Suarez and Larry Elder are still working on qualifying, according to the reports.
The Republican National Committee set forth requirements in June that candidates must meet on status, polling, fundraising and pledging to take part in the debate.
Candidates must poll at least 1% in three national polls or 1% in two national polls and 1% from an early state poll from two “carve out” states recognized by the committee.
Candidates must also have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors’ part of their presidential campaign committee – with at least 200 unique donors per state – and sign a pledge agreeing to support the eventual party nominee.
According to the reports Haley, the first Indian American to serve in a presidential cabinet under Trump as US ambassador to UN is on track to meet the requirements for the debate.
The news reported she’s raised over $7.3 million through her campaign and affiliated committees between April and June.
The survey from Morning Consult shows she has registered 3% of support among Republican voters, which is on par with two of her rivals. She’s also maintained scoring above 1% in other polls.
Haley indicated on Twitter she plans on supporting the eventual nominee for the Republican party.
“Absolutely irresponsible that Trump, DeSantis, and others won’t commit 100% to supporting the Republican nominee,” Haley tweeted. “There’s no room for personal vendettas in this battle to save our country.”
Biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has also fulfilled the debate criteria, according to his spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin cited by media reports.
McLaughlin told the media that Ramaswamy has 65,000 donors. As part of his fundraising strategy, Ramaswamy has laid out incentives for supporters such as offering to give them a 10% cut of the total money he raises for his presidential bid, according to Axios. The survey from Morning Consult shows Ramaswamy has received 8% support from GOP voters, surpassing former Vice President Mike Pence and trailing behind DeSantis. He’s also starting to receive double-digit figures in some polls.
Trump, the Republican frontrunner, has 56% of support from potential Republican voters, and he’s placed first in other national and state polls, according to a survey from Morning Consult.
His campaign said that he has also raised more than $35 million during the second quarter of the year – about twice the amount raised during the first quarter.
DeSantis, who’s trailing behind Trump in the Republican primary polls, has raised more than $20 million during the first six weeks of his candidacy and has about 50,000 donors as of late June.