Democrats set early state primary debates for 2020

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will sponsor four presidential debates in key early voting states in January and February, giving candidates a final chance to introduce themselves before the first votes take place.

 

CNN will air the first debate of the new year at Drake University on Jan. 14 in Des Moines in partnership with the Des Moines Register.

 

Days after Iowans caucus, ABC will host a debate at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., with WMUR-TV and Apple News. That debate, the eighth of the cycle, will take place Feb. 7.

 

Two weeks later, on Feb. 19, NBC News and MSNBC will host a debate in Las Vegas, just ahead of that state’s early caucuses. The television networks will partner with The Nevada Independent, a nonprofit news site run by veteran Nevada political reporter Jon Ralston.

 

And CBS News will host a Feb. 25 debate with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute at the Gaillard Center in Charleston, S.C. The DNC said Twitter would be a partner for the debate.

 

The DNC did not lay out how candidates would qualify for the upcoming debates. Candidates needed to hit 4 percent in at least four polls recognized by the DNC, or 6 percent in at least two polls conducted in early voting states, and receive donations from at least 200,000 unique donors to qualify for the sixth debate, to be held next week in Los Angeles.

 

Only seven Democratic candidates hit those criteria: Former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenConfirmation hearing for Biden's DNI pick postponed Biden's Sunday inauguration rehearsal postponed due to security concerns: report Murkowski says it would be 'appropriate' to bar Trump from holding office again MORE, Sens. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharGoogle completes Fitbit acquisition Hillicon Valley: Fringe social networks boosted after Capitol attack | Planned protests spark fears of violence in Trump's final days | Election security efforts likely to gain ground in Democrat-controlled Congress US Chamber of Commerce to stop supporting some lawmakers following the Capitol riots MORE (D-Minn.), Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenPorter loses seat on House panel overseeing financial sector OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Nine, including former Michigan governor, charged over Flint water crisis | Regulator finalizes rule forcing banks to serve oil, gun companies | Trump admin adds hurdle to increase efficiency standards for furnaces, water heaters DeVos mulled unilateral student loan forgiveness as COVID-19 wracked economy: memo MORE (D-Mass.) and Bernie SandersBernie SandersBiden to seek minimum wage in COVID-19 proposal Former Sanders spokesperson: Progressives 'shouldn't lose sight' of struggling Americans during pandemic 'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack MORE (I-Vt.), South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegAgency official says Capitol riot hit close to home for former Transportation secretary Chao Transportation Secretary Chao resigns in protest Buttigieg is blazing trails for LGBTQ equality MORE (D), retired hedge fund manager Tom SteyerTom SteyerOn The Trail: The political losers of 2020 Biden Cabinet picks largely unify Democrats — so far Late donor surges push election spending projections to new heights MORE and businessman Andrew YangAndrew YangYang announces run for New York City mayor Yang files to open campaign account for NYC mayor Poll finds Andrew Yang favored for New York City mayor MORE.

 

Three other candidates — Rep. Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardTulsi Gabbard blasts new House rules on gender neutral language as 'height of hypocrisy' A vaccine, a Burrito and more: 7 lighter, memorable moments from 2020 Growing number of House Republicans warm to proxy voting MORE (D-Hawaii), Sen. Cory BookerCory BookerNCAA tables name, image and likeness vote after DOJ warns of potential antitrust violations Warren and other senators seek investigation into Trump administration resuming federal executions Cory Booker says he has no plans to propose to Rosario Dawson this Christmas MORE (D-N.J.) and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary
Julián Castro — reached the donor threshold without notching enough support in public opinion polls. 

 

Booker’s campaign said Thursday their candidate would kick off a big swing through Iowa next week as his rivals meet in Los Angeles. Gabbard has said she would not appear onstage even if she does reach the polling qualification.

 

The Iowa debate could pose a problem for the three senators who have qualified if the Senate is engaged in an impeachment trial. The DNC said it was working with the campaigns to build in a potential backup plan if Warren, Klobuchar and Sanders are required to be in the Senate chamber during the initially scheduled debate.