Republican voters will have another opportunity to kick the tires on the 2024 presidential candidates who take the stage Wednesday for the second GOP primary debate.
Fewer White House hopefuls will debate this week than those who assembled for their first discussion in August, but it remains unclear how many will be on stage at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.
Six candidates have qualified for the second debate ahead of the Sept. 25 deadline, and Trump has again declined to participate. The former president instead plans to visit Michigan to speak with striking auto workers.
Trump remains the unquestionable frontrunner in the primary and besides pummeling attacks aimed at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, he has largely ignored other contenders for the Republican nomination. Polling out of New Hampshire, for instance, shows Trump holding a 26-point lead over his nearest competitor.
That leaves the question of what, if anything, the other contenders must do to chip away at Trump’s massive lead and gain traction with the GOP base.
Here’s a look at what is at stake for each of the candidates who have qualified for Wednesday’s debate.
