There is confusion surrounding the upcoming third GOP primary debate set for November. With the second debate coming up in days, the Republican National Committee (RNC) is already working on a third event set for early next month.
Original sources had reported the RNC was eyeing a site in Alabama, perhaps at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, for the third Republican primary debate.
However, those reports were never confirmed and then, just a few days ago, CNN reported that the third debate would actually be taking place in Miami:
The third Republican presidential primary debate will be held in Miami in early November, sources familiar with the event tell CNN.
NBC News and Salem Media are in talks to host the Miami debate, according to two people familiar with the matter. A spokesperson for NBC News declined to comment. CNN has reached out to Salem Media.
The details from CNN were still semi-unconfirmed and based on similar reports to those of the Alabama debate.
However, other media outlets picked up the story and USAToday appears to be confirming the third debate will in fact happen in Miami, citing officials at the RNC:
The Republican National Committee is apparently hoping to attract Donald Trump to a third debate by staging it in Miami, near the president’s Florida home.
The Miami debate is being planned for early November, said an RNC official speaking on condition of anonymity because the specific venue, sponsors and date have yet to be decided upon.
Some are asking if this move is related to prodding Donald Trump from his home, just up the road in Mar-a-Lago, to come down to Miami and join the debate stage, though RNC officials have shot down those rumors.
With all the recent reporting on Miami hosting the third debate, it appears Alabama is still in the running and perhaps could be the location for a fourth debate, according to sources:
Alabama has lost to Miami, and we’re not talking about college football.
The third Republican presidential debate will be held in Florida, the home state of candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The third debate will not go to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, as has been rumored for months. Former Govs. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and Nikki Haley (R-S.C.), also vying for the GOP nod, both had talked about the third debate in Alabama.
The LSU Tigers versus Alabama Crimson Tide football game on November 4 may have been the impetus for delaying the long-rumored presidential debate in Tuscaloosa, including accommodating the expected 100,000 attendees for the football weekend.
Sources close to the process now say a fourth GOP debate would likely be in Alabama later this year.
The Republican National Committee has not confirmed a fourth debate or venue.
For those hoping to attend a debate in Alabama, all hope is not yet lost. It appears the state is still in the running to host a GOP primary debate, perhaps in Tuscaloosa, sometime into early December.
Keep track of all the debates on the GOP debate schedule page for all available updated information as it becomes available.
