Live coverage: GOP candidates take the stage for the second Republican debate

Top Republican candidates will be in Simi Valley Wednesday night for the GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Frontrunner Donald Trump will be in Michigan. But seven others are expected to face off and explain why they should be the country’s next president.

We will be there before the first question gets asked and stay for all post-debate scuffles in the spin room.

Refresh for the latest news and photos.

• Candidates to watch:  Seven candidates qualified for Wednesday's debate. Here's who will be on the hot seat and why the GOP returned to Simi Valley for a fifth time.

• Groups plan protests: Many of the protesters expected at Wednesday's GOP debate will focus on gay rights and abortion. Others will be there to advocate for Donald Trump.

• Moderators expect sparks to fly: Stuart Varney and Dana Perino, both of Fox, and Ilia Calderón of Univision will face the challenge of keeping the debaters in line.

Ramaswamy: He can beat Trump

In the spin room, Vivek Ramaswamy tried to set aside the notion that he was running for the vice presidency. Speaking to a mob of reporters, he said he can beat Trump.

“That’s why I’m in this race,” he said. “I think I will be the Republican nominee.”

'Trump without the drama'

About 700 people were attending the debate as guests. They included Chris Tremblay, a construction company president from New Hampshire. Like most of the people here, he has connections. His daughter is working for the debate. Her birthday is Friday and he wanted to spend it with her.

Tremblay votes Republican but describes himself as a Libertarian. Before the debate he said he hasn’t yet chosen a presidential candidate but he’s leaning toward Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“He’s sort of Trump without the drama,” he said.

DeSantis campaign: Governor pointing out Trump's failings

Handlers of the candidates are spread across the spin room making their cases. Andrew Romeo of the DeSantis campaign said the Florida governor is running on his track record and is also pointing out Trump’s failings.

“Trump did not deliver on all the promises he said he would," he said.

Who won the GOP debate?

At a local GOP watch party, people in the crowd booed for former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence when party-goers were asked how candidates did.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley garnered applause. Some at the party in Simi Valley raised their hands when asked if they were still fans of former President Donald Trump.

Kari Lake calls for candidates to endorse Trump

As the debate ends Wednesday, the spin room is hopping. Kari Lake, the Republican who lost the Arizona gubernatorial race last year, called for candidates to drop out of the race and endorse former President Donald Trump.

“I think they need to do some soul-searching,” she said.

Christie wants Trump 'voted off the island'

Responding to a question, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called for voting former President Donald Trump off the island. Trump "has not only divided our party, he has divided families all over this country."

Here's the scene outside the debate room

Gov. Burgum: Shrink the size of government

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum called for the federal government to follow his state's example by shrinking the size of government.

He said more government jobs should be eliminated and the workers should be transferred to the private sector.

Dozens head to local GOP watch party

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley challenging Vivek Ramaswamy got some laughs from a group watching the debate at the Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley.

“You tell him!” one woman said.

About a hundred people were at the Ventura County GOP watch party. Some applauded Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' comments that the country should focus on securing its southern border.

– Dave Mason

What is the jet at the GOP debate?

The Air Force One jet that dominates the debate pavilion carried President Ronald Reagan some 660,000 miles as president including journeys to 26 foreign countries. It also carried six other presidents from 1973 to 2001, starting with Richard Nixon and ending with George W. Bush.

Haley takes shot at Ramaswamy

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley just went off on Vivek Ramaswamy, saying he can’t be trusted.

“Every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you said,” she said.

Ramaswamy called for an end to the insults and for a debate focused on policy.

Ramaswamy, Pence speak on transgenderism

Vivek Ramaswamy called transgenderism a mental health disorder. “It’s not compassionate to confirm a kid’s confusion,” he said.

Former Vice President Mike Pence said he supports a federal ban on transgender issue. “We have to protect our kids.”

Nikki Haley: Health insurance, hospitals need change

Former South California Gov. Nikki Haley said hospitals, medical insurance and the entire health care system are broken and need to be transformed so patients have more control.

“We’re going to have to make every part of the industry open up and show us where the warts are because they all have them,” she said.

DeSantis on fentanyl: Use the military

Fentanyl has been referenced more often than former President Ronald Reagan. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he would use the military to go after the cartels that sell the drug.

“Are we just going to sit here and let this carnage happen?” he said.

Christie takes another swipe at Trump

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took another swing at Trump, speaking to him directly and accusing him of being afraid to join the debate and defend his performance as president.

“No one’s going to call you Donald Trump anymore, we’re going to call you Donald Duck,” he said.

See GOP candidates at the Reagan Library debate

Vivek Ramaswamy name-drops Reagan

Vivek Ramaswamy made one of the night’s first references to former President Ronald Reagan and appeared to be calling for the debate to focus more on policy issues. He wasn’t able to complete the point because Sen. Tim Scott challenged him and they both spoke at the same time.

Nikki Haley: Defund sanctuary cities

Former South California Gov. Nikki Haley said sanctuary cities should be defunded to fight illegal immigration. She said the country’s southern border must be secured and advocated what she called “catch and deport.”

Christie takes shot at Trump

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was asked about the possibility of a government shutdown. If that happens, every federal elected official – Republican and Democrat – is to blame, he said.

Christie also took the first shot of the night at former President Donald Trump, accusing him of hiding behind his golf clubs.

“He should be in this room to answer these questions,” he said.

– Tom Kisken

GOP debate begins

Seven candidates walked out on the stage in the Air Force One Pavilion at the Reagan Library, stopping for pictures before moving behind the podiums shortly before 6 p.m.

They faced moderators Stuart Varney and Dana Perino, both of Fox, and Ilia Calderón of Univision.

The first question of the night went to South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. Would you fire striking auto workers today?

Newsom remarks on Taylor Swift in light moment

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newson spun into the spin room before the debate to defend President Joe Biden. He accused Republicans of demonizing trans youth and misrepresenting immigration issues. He contended the candidates appearing in the debate are being lapped by former President Donald Trump.

But the question of the night came as Newsom started to move out of the spin room and a reporter yelled out for his reaction to pop sensation Taylor Swift’s romance with NFL star Travis Kelce.

Newsom laughed.

“That’s the real debate,” he said. “Is it real or is it not real?”

– Tom Kisken

Key moments happen off camera

For Sarah Stephan, Wednesday’s debate was her second in a matter of weeks.

The senior at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks volunteered at the first debate in Wisconsin and again in Simi Valley. At the first debate, some of the most interesting moments happened when the cameras weren’t rolling, she said.

On breaks, candidates would shake hands and talk, she said. She called it “refreshing” how even people who argued the most could put the issues aside and just be humans.

– Cheri Carlson

What to know about the spin room

They call it the spin room for a reason.

The auditorium located a short walk from Air Force One Pavilion in the Reagan Library is where candidates, their handlers, party leaders and others go before and especially after the debate to explain why what you think you just saw or heard isn’t what really went down. They spin. Like tops.

It’s a media nexus that draws TV crews and newspaper reporters hunting for quotes, insight and, truthfully, something to feed their editors.

In 2015, the last time GOP candidates squared off at the Reagan Library, the spin room was all but twirling with talk of what Donald Trump said and didn’t say on the debate stage. This time, Trump has skipped the event and is in Michigan. It’s still a pretty safe bet he will dominate spin room conversations again.

– Tom Kisken

Newsom heads into the spin room

California's Gov. Gavin Newsom headed into the spin room at the Reagan Library around 5 p.m., an hour before the debate was set to start.

He is not expected to attend the debate but will be doing interviews with members of the media.

Gov. Newsom expected in Simi Valley

California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to make an appearance at the library and talk to media Wednesday.

Others here include Michael Reagan, the former president’s son; Fred Ryan, former publisher of The Washington Post and board chair for the Reagan Foundation; former California Gov. Pete Wilson; and former U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly. The biggest Republican names in Congress including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy were invited but aren’t here because Congress is in session.

Reporters and camera crews are everywhere. There are more than 500 media members here. They fill a massive tent on the library’s South Lawn and also sprawl into the spin center where candidates and their handlers conduct interviews.  And dozens of outlets have set up cameras and lights on a media row along the library’s main drive.

– Tom Kisken

Protests pick up in Simi Valley

By 4 p.m., hundreds of protestors gathered at the bottom of Presidential Drive, a winding road that leads to the Reagan Library.

“Putin is a tyrant!” chanted demonstrators at a pro-Ukraine rally on one corner. Across the street, pro-Trump demonstrators waved flags and held signs.

A third group represented a coalition of organizations supporting immigrant rights.

– Dave Mason, The Star

How to watch the debate

The two-hour debate is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The Fox Business Network, Fox News and Univision will broadcast it. Rumble will provide a livestream.

No tickets were available for the general public to go to the event. About 735 seats have been divvied up among the Reagan Foundation, the Republican National Committee, Fox Business News and other sponsors. Each candidate at the debate also receives 10 tickets.

Trump dominated 2015 debate

Wednesday’s event marks the fifth primary debate held at the Reagan Library since May 4, 2007, when a field of 10 candidates sparred, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Sen. John McCain, who eventually won the nomination.

The last debate came Sept. 16, 2015, and featured 15 candidates who sparred in two separate panels. In the primetime tier, Donald Trump was targeted by several of his opponents for his politics, his lack of political experience and his habit of disparaging not only the beliefs but the appearance and personalities of other candidates.

Of course, Trump not only persevered but went on to win the presidency.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Live: GOP candidates face off for the second Republican debate