Republican presidential primary debate to return to Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star
·2 min read
20
GOP candidates greet the crowd and media before their debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in September 2015. Another debate will be held at the library, a Republican leader announced Thursday.
GOP candidates greet the crowd and media before their debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in September 2015. Another debate will be held at the library, a Republican leader announced Thursday.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

The second Republican presidential primary debate for the 2024 elections will be held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, a party leader announced Thursday.

Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, made the announcement while speaking at the Reagan library. It’s unclear when the event will be held but it will follow the opening Republican primary debate set for Milwaukee in August.

The first debate will be hosted by the party and Fox News. The organizations partnering in the Reagan debate have not been announced.

It will be the library’s fifth Republican presidential debate with the most recent in September 2015 when soon-to-be President Donald Trump and 10 other candidates sparred in the Air Force One Pavilion.

David Trulio, new CEO for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, responded to McDaniel's announcement in a Tweet.

“Our debate continues President Reagan’s vision for a ‘dynamic intellectual forum’ where leaders ‘debate the future,’” he said, using Reagan's words.

It’s too early to know who will appear in the library debate. Announced Republican candidates for president include Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and talk radio host Larry Elder.

Other Republicans who could run include Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

Local news: Auschwitz survivor tells 1,000 students of horrors 'that can never be erased'

Announced Democratic candidates include self-help author Marianne Williamson and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They are expected to be joined in the race by President Joe Biden.

The news of the debate stoked excitement in Republican circles.

"The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is such a treasure for Ventura County.  I am looking forward to having America's Republican presidential candidates here," said John Andersen, chair of the Ventura County Republican Party.

Steven Auclair, chair of the Ventura County Democratic Party, said the Republican debate will show the contrast between the two parties. He said the Reagan Library location is not unexpected.

"It’s no surprise that the Republican party will narrow in on some of the past areas they’ve come to," he said.

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

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe here.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: GOP presidential debate to return to Ronald Reagan Library