DeSantis signs ‘loyalty pledge’ to participate in RNC debate
Naomi Lim
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Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has promised to support the 2024 Republican nominee, even if that person is thrice-indicted former President Donald Trump, in order to take part in this month’s opening debate.
“See you in Milwaukee!” DeSantis’s campaign tweeted Wednesday with a copy of the Republican National Committee‘s pledge
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https://twitter.com/TeamDeSantis/status/1689382343012745216
The pledge, which does not use the word endorse, has been disputed by former Govs. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, though the latter has not qualified for the debate to be hosted by Fox News on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“I affirm that if I do not win in the 2024 Republican nomination for president of the United States, I will honor the will of the primary voters and support the nominee in order to save our country and beat Joe Biden,” it states. “I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.”
Christie, who has criticized Trump repeatedly, has scrutinized the pledge, insisting he will respect it as much as the former president did the 2015 iteration. The RNC has not clarified whether that disqualifies Christie from the debate.
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The debate’s other requirements include having 40,000 unique donors, with at least 200 people from 20 different states or territories, in addition to attracting 1% support in three national polls or two national surveys and one state one.
Biotechnology entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was the first candidate to sign the pledge earlier this week.