CNBC Guarantees Nothing Will Change in Third GOP Debate

Published: 22 Oct, 2015
1 min read

CNBC will host the third presidential debate on October 28, titled, "The Republican Presidential Debate: Your Money, Your Vote." Three debates in, the host and venue may have changed, but the faces on the stage will not. CNBC revealed Wednesday that 10 candidates met the 3 percent polling threshold (2.5% or higher, actually) to appear on the main stage, meaning that none of the top-tier candidates still running were eliminated.

"The results were based on methodically sound and recognized national polls conducted by NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, CNN and Bloomberg," CNBC reports. "The candidates with an average of three percent in this specified group of national polls will take the stage shortly after 8PM ET for a two-hour debate."

If a candidate averaged at least 2.5 percent, it was rounded up to 3 percent. To remind everyone, these 10 candidates are:

  • Donald Trump: 25.22
  • Ben Carson: 19.78
  • Marco Rubio: 9.67
  • Jeb Bush: 8.11
  • Carly Fiorina: 8.11
  • Ted Cruz: 6.89
  • Mike Huckabee: 3.56
  • Chris Christie: 3.00
  • John Kasich: 3.00
  • Rand Paul: 3.00

The only candidate missing is Scott Walker, who dropped out of the race in September. The lower-tier debate will include:

  • Rick Santorum
  • Bobby Jindal
  • George Pataki
  • Lindsey Graham

The first debate will start at 6 pm ET / 3 pm PT.

As the name suggests, the next Republican debate will focus on economics, job growth, taxes, retirement, and technology. The event will be moderated by CNBC's Carl Quintanilla, co-anchor of "Squawk on the Street" and "Squawk Alley," Becky Quick, co-anchor of "Squawk Box," and Chief Washington Correspondent John Harwood.

You Might Also Like

Caution tape with US Capitol building in the background.
Did the Republicans or Democrats Start the Gerrymandering Fight?
The 2026 midterm election cycle is quickly approaching. However, there is a lingering question mark over what congressional maps will look like when voters start to cast their ballots, especially as Republicans and Democrats fight to obtain any electoral advantage possible. ...
11 Nov, 2025
-
8 min read
Utah state capitol.
Utah Judge Delivers a Major Blow to Gerrymandering
A Utah state judge has struck down the congressional map drawn by Republican lawmakers, ruling that it violates the state’s voter-approved ban on partisan gerrymandering and ordering new district lines for the 2026 elections....
11 Nov, 2025
-
2 min read
bucking party on gerrymandering
5 Politicians Bucking Their Party on Gerrymandering
Across the country, both parties are weighing whether to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Utah, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia are all in various stages of the action. Here are five politicians who have declined to support redistricting efforts promoted by their own parties....
31 Oct, 2025
-
4 min read