Republican presidential candidates, from left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stand on stage earlier than a Republican presidential main debate hosted by FOX Information Channel Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in Milwaukee. (AP Photograph/Morry Gash)
Political eyes flip to Southern California this week as presidential hopefuls swoop in for the second presidential main debate, fundraisers and a state GOP conference.
Whereas it nonetheless stays to be seen which candidates formally certified for the controversy — the Republican Nationwide Committee is anticipated to verify attendees Monday, Sept. 25 — no less than 4 will likely be in Anaheim later within the week for the California Republican Get together’s fall conference: former President Donald Trump, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
Trump may even be in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Sept. 30 for a fundraiser. Former Vice President Mike Pence has a reception on the books in Anaheim on Thursday.
However earlier than all that, the presidential main debate kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 27 on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, a well-liked setting for Republicans.
“The Reagan Library is all the time a sexy venue for Republican debates, partially as a result of it’s a nice house but additionally as a result of Ronald Reagan’s legacy nonetheless has pull inside the Republican ranks,” stated Matthew Beckmann, a political science professor at UC Irvine with experience in presidential politics. “In fact, that presidential candidates can use the journey to fundraise in Southern California doesn’t harm.”
The brink to qualify for this debate — to be broadcast on Fox Enterprise Community and Univision from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. — was raised from the earlier contest.
Candidates want no less than 3% in two nationwide polls or will want 3% in a single nationwide ballot in addition to two polls from 4 of the early voting states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. And their donors should embody 50,000 distinctive contributors with 200 of these coming from 20 states.
DeSantis, Pence, Ramaswamy, Scott and Trump, in addition to former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, seem prone to have certified.
Trump, who sat out the primary debate, will likely be talking to auto employees in Detroit as an alternative. His contentious historical past with the Reagan Library apart, Trump is trying extra to the 2024 normal election quite than the first.
California Republicans will nonetheless hear from Trump as he’s scheduled to handle a luncheon on the conference on Friday. The occasion — with tickets starting from $500-$600 — is already bought out.
Scott will converse round 3 p.m. Friday, and DeSantis is slated to headline a dinner banquet later that night. Ramaswamy leads a reception and lunch banquet on Saturday.
“All eyes will likely be on California subsequent week as our state hosts the second GOP presidential debate in my hometown of Simi Valley and on the hallowed grounds of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library,” stated CAGOP Chair Jessica Millan Patterson. “With 169 delegates up for grabs — essentially the most of any state — California will play a pivotal position in deciding our occasion’s nominee.”
Whereas in Southern California, the presidential contenders could be smart to “perceive the citizens and strike a steadiness of fiscal conservatism, an acknowledgment of the setting (and) local weather change and keep away from the cultural wedges,” like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion, stated Matt Lesenyie, a Cal State Lengthy Seaside political science professor.
Voters, he stated, are much less involved with “the controversy of the day” however wish to hear extra “plain-spoken, frequent sense-sounding options and the hope for bipartisanship.”
“A giant piece will likely be how (candidates) discuss why Republicans consider the federal government ought to shut down later this month,” stated Lesenyie, who interned for former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “California voters are most likely additionally listening for options to Hollywood and auto labor negotiations.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.