Ron DeSantis commits to participating in the Milwaukee GOP presidential debate

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump might not be on stage for the first presidential debate in Milwaukee in August, but at least one other top contender is now expected to attend.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday said he plans to participate in the first presidential debate next month despite much uncertainty surrounding who else might attend the Republican National Committee's primetime event, set for Aug. 23 at the Fiserv Forum.

"I'll be there regardless," DeSantis told Fox News when asked whether he'd participate in the debate if Trump declined the invitation. "I hope everybody who is eligible comes. I think it's an important part of the process, and I look forward to being able to be on the stage and introducing our candidacy and our vision and our leadership to a wide audience."

DeSantis' announcement comes as welcome news to the Republican National Committee, which has faced public pushback from candidates who have been critical of the requirements to get on the debate stage. The requirements include a loyalty pledge and stringent polling thresholds. Trump, the leading Republican candidate, has indicated he is unlikely to attend the debate in Milwaukee, citing his current polling lead over the field.

More: Will Donald Trump skip the August Republican debate in Milwaukee? Scott Walker says that would be a big mistake.

Just who else might appear at the Fiserv Forum next month remains unclear as debate requirements could prevent lesser-known candidates from appearing.

One potential issue: Candidates must poll at least 1% in three national polls or 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate “carve out” states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina) recognized by the RNC. Those polls must survey at least 800 registered likely Republican voters to count toward the requirement.

And in addition to having at least 40,000 unique donors to qualify for the debate, the RNC is also requiring candidates to vow to support the eventual Republican nominee — a move that has received pushback from candidates like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

While some candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have been unclear on whether they'd sign such a pledge, others like former ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott have indicated they would make the vow.

In Wisconsin, Trump and DeSantis remain the top two GOP presidential contenders.

A Marquette University Law School Poll released last week showed Trump was favored by 31% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents surveyed, while DeSantis was at 30%.

In a head-to-head matchup, DeSantis was favored by 57% and Trump by 41%.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DeSantis commits to participating in the Milwaukee GOP debate