This article has been updated.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will not be on the main debate stage when Republican presidential candidates square off for their fourth debate next week.
Fox Business Network announced Thursday that Christie, who has made the main stage at the previous three debates, will be in the undercard debate for the low-polling candidates. It is a blow to the Garden State governor who has seen a slight uptick in the polls after a strong performance at the CNBC debate last month.
It doesn’t matter the stage, give me a podium and I’ll be there to talk about real issues like this: https://t.co/Fqu5Qi2piX #BringItOn
— Chris Christie (@ChrisChristie) November 6, 2015Earlier in the day, Christie told NBC’s Hallie Jackson, “either way, I’ll be in Milwaukee Tuesday night debating the big issues of our country, putting my voice onto those issues and that’s what really matters the most. But would I pick it? No of course not.”
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul made the final slot in the prime-time debate.
Debate host Fox Business Network announced candidates must have a polling average of at least 2.5% in the four most recent polls. To make the earlier debate, candidates must average at least 1% in one of the four most recent polls.
Republicans Lindsey Graham, George Pataki and Jim Gilmore did make the cut.
On the main stage of the Fox Business Network debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will be:
Disagree with debate rules that prevent @Grahamblog's voice from being heard – his foreign policy message is an important one in particular
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) November 6, 2015In the earlier debate will be:
- Chris Christie
- Mike Huckabee
- Bobby Jindal
- Rick Santorum
Andrew Rafferty