Nine Republican presidential candidates will face off on the main stage of CNN's Tuesday night debate, Jake Tapper announced Sunday afternoon.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has been added to the main stage lineup with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee dropping to the jayvee debate.
aption:SIMI VALLEY, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: A photographer takes a picture of the stage before the start of the CNN Republican Presidential Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library on September 16, 2015 in Simi Valley, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The "State of the Union" host said Christie would also be joined by Ben Carson, Donald Trump Carly Fiorina, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul also made the main stage after a weekend of uncertainty — both for the debate and the future of his campaign. According to CNN, a Fox News poll released Sunday morning showed viability in Iowa for Paul — saving him from joining Huckabee at the jayvee debate.
In statements over the weekend, Paul's campaign called for "rounding up" as "polling margins are simply too wide to allow a quarter or half point to determine the outcome." While calling for fairness, Paul's campaign contended that as rules were amended to allow Fiorina to participate in the first CNN GOP debate in August, the same should be considered for the libertarian-leaning senator.
The fifth debate in the primary season, candidates were required to be polling on average at least 3.5 percent nationally, at least 4 percent in Iowa or at least 4 percent in New Hampshire in order to qualify for the main stage.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former New York Gov. George Pataki and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham will join Huckabee earlier debate in Las Vegas, Nevada.
.@Jaketapper just announced which candidates made the main stage for the #GOPDebate. Check out who made the cut: https://t.co/uyIyXxdUKd
— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) December 13, 2015
