Senator Tim Scott signs RNC debate pledge – and Mike Pence says he will sign it
Senator Tim Scott announced Friday that he has signed the Republican National Committee’s pledge to endorse the party’s possible 2024 nominee — and former Vice President Mike Pence said he will also meet the requirement to qualify for the first presidential primary debate later in sign this month.
“I look forward to sharing my positive, upbeat message on the GOP debate stage in Milwaukee.” Scott (R-SC), 57, tweeted with a picture of the signed “Beat Biden Pledge”.
Pence, 64, intends to sign the pledge of allegiance to take the stage in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, he told Fox News as he roamed the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Friday, adding that he was “confident.” that he could support him the Republican standard-bearer.
“I am more than happy to meet the criteria.” Pence said.
“I’m confident I can support the Republican nominee, especially if I am.”
Both Scott and Pence have already reached the RNC’s donation and voting thresholds required to participate in the first debate.
Expected to perform on stage are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, 44, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, 38, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, 51, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, 67 , who have all signed the oath, completed the survey and fundraising requirements.
Former President Donald Trump and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have met donor and survey requirements but have not yet signed the pledge.
Trump, 77, told Newsmax on Wednesday that he would announce his decision on whether to debate next week, but vowed not to sign the pledge.
“I wouldn’t sign the promise. Why should I sign a promise? There are people there I don’t want. I didn’t have certain people as someone I would support,” Trump said.
“I can name three or four people that I would not support as president. So there’s a problem right there,” he added.
Christie, 60, has also expressed the RNC’s commitment to the pledge but has hinted he will sign the document just to get on stage.
“I will take the promise in 2024 as seriously as Donald Trump took the promise in 2016,” Christie said.
RNC leader Ronna McDaniel said in April that she decided to implement the pledge to prevent infighting during the primary and general election — and to stave off a possible third-party split.
Candidates who sign the pledge are also required to only participate in RNC-sanctioned debates and may not run as independents or write-in candidates.
Candidates who have met the RNC’s poll and donation requirements have up to 48 hours before the debate to reserve their spot on the stage.
Presidential candidates at risk of not being allowed to debate include former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, 72, who failed to meet fundraising eligibility requirements, as well as Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, 45, and businessman Dating Michigan, Perry Johnson, 75, neither of whom have done so. According to reports, the election minimums were not met.
Conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder, 71, and former Texas Rep. Will Hurd, 45, have failed to meet any of the RNC requirements to earn a seat on the debate panel.
