Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has accepted CNN’s invitation to debate in New Hampshire on January 21, 2024, at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, two days before that state’s leadoff primary.
“Given the short amount of time between the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire’s primary, participating in multiple debates on different networks is the best way for Granite State voters to hear the contrast between the candidates as well as their closing arguments,” Andrew Romeo, DeSantis’s communications director, wrote in a statement on X on Friday.
The debate announcements were made one day following the fourth debate of the 2024 primary season, which involved Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Former President Donald Trump, the leading candidate from the Republican Party for the 2024 nomination, has not yet participated in any debates and has expressed his lack of intention to do so.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Slams Maine Democrat For Tossing Trump Off The Ballot
In a statement released on Friday, the RNC said that the debates planned for January were not officially associated with the RNC. However, candidates could take part in these debates if they so desired.
“Candidates are free to use any forum or format to communicate to voters as they see fit,” the RNC said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, have both committed to participating in a crucial debate hosted by CNN in Iowa.
The debate, scheduled for January 10th at Drake University in Des Moines, will provide a platform for candidates to present their ideas and engage with voters ahead of the Iowa caucuses.
As anticipation builds, the pressure mounts on Donald Trump to join his competitors on the debate stage.
DeSantis has criticized Trump for his absence in previous debates and his lack of personal interaction with voters.
In a call with Iowa reporters, DeSantis expressed his disappointment, stating, “If you’re not willing to debate in Iowa on the eve of the caucus, that shows the voters a lot about you and about your willingness to engage on these issues.”
Read: 4th-Grader Calls Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley ‘New John Kerry’ To Her Face
Haley, while accepting CNN’s invitation to the Iowa debate, echoed DeSantis’ sentiments, asserting that “as the debate stage continues to shrink, it’s getting harder for Donald Trump to hide.”
The Iowa debate holds immense importance in the Republican nomination process, as it precedes the Iowa caucuses by a mere five days. Iowa, as an early voting state, carries significant weight in shaping the narrative and momentum of the candidates’ campaigns.
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