GOP presidential candidate Miami Mayor Francis Suarez claimed Friday that he had met the criteria to make the first debate stage next week, but an official for the Republican National Committee (RNC) confirmed with the Daily Caller News Foundation he hasn’t yet.
The RNC is requiring candidates meet a 40,000 donor threshold, a polling requirement and sign a loyalty pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee. Suarez announced he surpassed the contribution criteria while not specifically mentioning the other requirements, and the RNC quickly refuted his claims, insisting he hadn’t officially met their rules to debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Aug. 23.
“I am excited to announce that I have met all the criteria to qualify for the [GOP’s] first primary debate,” Suarez said in a statement. “While our campaign only began a few weeks ago, I am humbled knowing Republicans from all fifty states have donated to our campaign—nearly 50,000 thus far. Now, I will renew my efforts to tell America about how I used conservative ideas to turn Miami into a shining example of what our party can be. A party that cares and delivers. A party where your future is only limited by your own efforts.”
A Thursday analysis from The Wall Street Journal indicated that Suarez had met neither the donor threshold nor the polling requirements.
To take the debate stage next Wednesday, GOP hopefuls had to be polling at 1% in three national polls, or 1% in two national polls and two key early primary state polls — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada or South Carolina. The surveys had to have been conducted on or after July 1, have at least 800 likely GOP primary voters and meet other criteria to be recognized by the RNC.
Suarez’ campaign did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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