The stage could shrink for the second GOP primary debate

Two of the eight GOP candidates who met Wednesday night have not yet met the higher thresholds to participate in the next debate in September.

A mad dash for donors and a flurry of last-minute polls marked the days leading up to Wednesday’s GOP primary debate as candidates scrambled to reach the Republican National Committee’s thresholds to make the stage. 

Making the next debate will be tougher — and two candidates on the stage Wednesday night are the ones feeling the squeeze. 

Eight candidates participated in the first debate, but North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson could miss the second one, which is set for Sept. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

The other six — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina GOP Sen. Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — appear to have already met the second debate requirements.

Watch highlights from the first Republican presidential primary debateAug. 24, 202302:48The GOP's presidential front-runner, former President Donald Trump, also appeared to meet the first debate’s polling and fundraising thresholds, but he said he would not sign the pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee, another RNC debate requirement. Trump has also suggested he will not attend future debates.