Eight candidates qualify for 2024 Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, do you know them?
WISN 12 News asked voters if they could identify the candidates
WISN 12 News asked voters if they could identify the candidates
WISN 12 News asked voters if they could identify the candidates
In less than a week, the home of the Bucks will be home to the first Republican presidential primary debate. It's set for Wednesday, Aug. 23, at Fiserv Forum.
Eight candidates have qualified for the debate, though it is unclear whether former President Donald Trump will show up. The front-runner has yet to commit to signing the pledge to support the eventual nominee. Without that signature, he cannot be on stage.
The eight candidates are Trump, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
The crowded field prompted WISN 12 News to go to the Milwaukee County Zoo Thursday to see who can identify the eight candidates.
To see how people did it, watch the video above.
"Do people even know who's running?" 12 News Hannah Hilyard asked Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin said.
"I think the answer is generally no," he replied.
Franklin said our small sampling Thursday matches the numbers he's seeing nationwide.
For example, a recent survey shows 1% of Republican-leaning voters have not heard enough about Trump.
While 91% said they have not heard enough about Burgum.
"One of the biggest things the debate will do is give those folks who are down in single digits, the chance to introduce themselves to people almost certainly for the first time," Franklin said.
There's still plenty of time for voters to get the know the candidates before casting a ballot. Here in Wisconsin, the presidential primary is April 2, 2024.
