The first Republican presidential debate is quickly approaching, and with it, an early test of the candidates’ viability.
To qualify for the Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee, a candidate must poll at least 1% in three national polls, or a mix of two national polls and two polls from early-primary states, according to rules set by the Republican National Committee. Candidates must also receive donations from 40,000 donors, including 200 unique donors in 20 states or more.
In addition to the polling and fundraising requirements, the candidates must also take a loyalty pledge in order to participate in the debate. With that pledge, which has been controversial among the candidates, GOP presidential hopefuls must sign a statement that they will support the eventual Republican nominee.
Though the barriers for entry aren’t especially high, some candidates have raised concerns that the addition of a fundraising requirement is too burdensome. All the while, the importance of the event has been called into question as former President Donald Trump, the GOP front-runner, has opted not to attend.
Here’s where the candidates stand:
Candidates Who Met Polling and Fundraising Requirements:
Donald Trump
![MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA - AUGUST 4: Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during the Alabama Republican Party’s 2023 Summer meeting at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel on August 4, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. Trump's appearance in Alabama comes one day after he was arraigned on federal charges in Washington, D.C. for his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. (Photo by Julie Bennett/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-dbda-d2b0-a5eb-ffde64f80000/gettyimages-1576815014.jpg?update-time=1691683569230&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Julie Bennett/Getty Images)
Ron DeSantis
(Rebecca S. Gratz for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Tim Scott
![](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000188-34d9-d9c4-ad8b-b5dd366a0000/6be5459bcc5e49cdb933a5fa3e105f27Election_2024_Scott_04515.jpg?update-time=1691683674254&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Charles Krupa/AP)
Nikki Haley
Former ambassador to the United Nations, former South Carolina governor
![Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2023, on Friday, March 3, 2023 in Oxon Hill, Md.](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000186-a94c-de5c-adbf-ad5fdbf60000/ap23062697464961.jpg?update-time=1691683701705&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Alex Brandon/AP)
Vivek Ramaswamy
![PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 01: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors national summit at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on July 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The self-labeled](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-df9f-d6bd-a9ab-dfdfbc500000/gettyimages-1507381258.jpg?update-time=1691683787705&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Chris Christie
Former New Jersey governor
![MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE - JUNE 06: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at a town-hall-style event at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College on June 06, 2023 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Christie, who filed paperwork earlier in the day that he would seek the 2024 Republican nomination, announced his candidacy at the event. Christie took aim at early frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, declaring that Trump had not delivered on a number of promises and saying his actions leading up to the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol had crossed a line. It is Christie's second run for president. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-dfa8-d5f6-a1f9-ffae42d90000/gettyimages-1496498153-1.jpg?update-time=1691683809401&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Doug Burgum
![DES MOINES, IOWA - JULY 28: Republican presidential candidate North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner on July 28, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Thirteen Republican presidential candidates were scheduled to speak at the event. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-dfa1-db65-a9b9-dfb3153d0000/gettyimages-1577392238.jpg?update-time=1691683910465&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Mike Pence
![FILE - Republican presidential candidate former Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Christians United For Israel (CUFI)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-d54b-d810-a9ff-ddcb8e3c0000/ap23218584748981.jpg?update-time=1691683971991&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
Asa Hutchinson
![DES MOINES, IOWA - JULY 28: Republican presidential candidate former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner on July 28, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Thirteen Republican presidential candidates were scheduled to speak at the event. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-dfc0-d0b1-a1db-dff61b900000/gettyimages-1577247247.jpg?update-time=1691683995933&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Candidates Who Did Not Meet the Polling and Fundraising Thresholds:
![WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 23: Republican presidential candidate and Mayor of Miami Francis Suarez delivers remarks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton on June 23, 2023 in Washington, DC. Former U.S. President Donald Trump will deliver the keynote address at tomorrow evening's](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-dfc2-d49c-abff-dfe3d9450000/gettyimages-1258979449.jpg?update-time=1691684127814&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Larry Elder
Conservative talk radio host
![CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - AUGUST 06: Republican presidential candidate conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder speaks to guests at Ashley's BBQ Bash hosted by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA) on August 06, 2023 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Seven of the 14 GOP candidates seeking the party's nomination for president were scheduled to speak at the event. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-e01d-d21d-afcf-e93d4e030000/gettyimages-1597234065.jpg?update-time=1691684160519&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Perry Johnson
![US businessman and 2024 Republican Presidential hopeful Perry Johnson speaks at the Republican Party of Iowa's 2023 Lincoln Dinner at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 28, 2023. (Photo by Sergio FLORES / AFP) (Photo by SERGIO FLORES/AFP via Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-e01e-df1a-abb9-ec7f6d410000/gettyimages-1561136576.jpg?update-time=1691684184191&size=responsiveFlow640)
(SERGIO FLORES/AFP via Getty Images)
Ryan Binkley
Business executive, pastor
![Founder of Create Church and 2024 Republican Presidential hopeful pastor Ryan Binkley speaks at the Republican Party of Iowa's 2023 Lincoln Dinner at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 28, 2023. (Photo by Sergio FLORES / AFP) (Photo by SERGIO FLORES/AFP via Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-e01a-d85e-a19f-fa1a4b7f0000/gettyimages-1561240174.jpg?update-time=1691684209006&size=responsiveFlow640)
(SERGIO FLORES/AFP via Getty Images)
Will Hurd
Former congressman, Texas
![CLIVE, IOWA - APRIL 22: Former Texas Congressman Will Hurd speaks to guests at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition Spring Kick-Off on April 22, 2023 in Clive, Iowa. Iowa is scheduled to hold the first Republican presidential nominating contest of 2024, on Feb. 5. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-e01b-df1a-abb9-ec7bd8ad0000/gettyimages-1484237982.jpg?update-time=1691684233975&size=responsiveFlow640)
(Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Steve Laffey
Former Cranston, Rhode Island, mayor
![Republican 2024 presidential hopeful Steve Laffey arrives for an interview at a local TV station in Cranston, Rhode Island, on March 17, 2023. - He drives himself between campaign stops, does his own makeup before local TV appearances and is yet to receive any endorsements -- Steve Laffey is unlike other Republican 2024 presidential hopefuls. While Donald Trump is a previous US leader, and fellow candidate Nikki Haley an ex-ambassador to the UN, Laffey is the former mayor of Cranston, Rhode Island: population 82,000. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000189-e020-d855-a19f-f7b38a730000/gettyimages-1249661858.jpg?update-time=1691682440970&size=responsiveFlow640)
(ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)
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