Ramaswamy indicates he might skip third GOP debate next month

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy indicated that he might skip the third GOP presidential candidate next month despite qualifying for the stage. 

Ramaswamy spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to The Hill that the entrepreneur might pass on the event scheduled for Nov. 8 in Miami. Ramaswamy previously told Fox News on Wednesday that he was “considering my options” on whether to participate. 

“My view is what best advances substantive debate for the future of the Republican Party and the future of our country, and so we’re weighing what best accomplishes that,” he told Fox. 

To qualify for the third debate under the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) rules, candidates must reach at least 4 percent in two national polls or in one national poll and two of the four early-voting states. They also must attain at least 70,000 donors, including at least 200 from 20 or more states and territories. 

Former President Trump has skipped the first two debate and plans to skip the third as well, instead holding a rally in Florida that night. 

If Ramaswamy were to skip the debate, he would become the second candidate after Trump to not attend one despite meeting the RNC’s fundraising and polling requirements. 

Ramaswamy has participated in the first two debates, having met the previous polling and fundraising requirements and signed the RNC’s loyalty pledge that he would support the eventual GOP nominee. 

But the second debate featured the candidates, without Trump, sparring with each other while the former president held a rally with autoworkers in Michigan. No one on stage was the clear winner, but Trump seemed to come out of the night on top. 

Ramaswamy said the second debate did not “serve the voting public” or “advancing substantive debate” so he will look at what will do that.