Tim Scott qualifies for third GOP debate

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has qualified for the third GOP presidential debate in Miami next week, his team confirmed to The Hill.

The senator announced that he has met both the polling threshold and donation requirement to secure a spot on the debate stage.

In a statement to CBS News, Scott said, “we’re excited about the response our campaign has received from conservatives across the country looking for a positive, optimistic message.”

“Republicans are ready to elect faith-filled leadership to take on the biggest challenges facing our nation today,” the statement said.

Scott previously stated he needed just a few thousand more donations to solidify his position on the Miami stage. Scott’s campaign confirmed he received the donations needed.

The Republican National Committee raised the threshold for a candidate to qualify for the third debate. Candidates would need to show two national polls that have them at 4 percent or higher, or they would need to receive 4 percent support in one national poll and two different early state polls. They would also need to meet a donor threshold of at least 70,000 unique donors, including at least 200 from 20 or more states.

The Nov. 8 debate is just more than nine weeks before the Iowa caucuses, the first election in the GOP nominating process. Scott recently said it’s “Iowa or bust,” signaling the importance of performing well in Iowa for the success of his campaign.

In the second debate, the seven GOP rivals argued over who is best to take on President Biden next fall. Scott used the event to attack some of his opponents, a pivot from his previous sentiments of being a “nice guy” candidate.

Still, Scott seemed to be drowned out by the other candidates on stage. His overall performance in the September debate was considered an encouraging sign for his supporters, but didn’t prove to be a game-changer in the polls.

The South Carolina senator is expected to be joined in the debate by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, all of whom have been confirmed to participate.

Former President Trump, the Republican front-runner, will not participate. He has skipped both of the previous debates.  

The debate will be hosted by NBC and co-moderated by Lester Holt and Kristen Welker. The debate will last two hours and begin at 8 p.m.