Ryan Binkley, Perry Johnson, and Larry Elder boosted their ad spending ahead of the second Republican debate, in order to try and qualify for the debate in California. Associated Press

Three long-shot GOP presidential candidates boost ad spending in hopes of making second debate

Misty Severi September 19, 11:26 AM September 19, 11:26 AM Video Embed

Three dark horses in the race for the GOP presidential nomination boosted their ad spending last week in a last-ditch effort to help them qualify for the second Republican presidential debate next week.

Conservative radio host Larry Elder, businessman Perry Johnson, and Pastor Ryan Binkley have all spent at least $100,000 on ads that aired last week, according to NBC News. None of the trio qualified for the first debate.

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“The RNC is scared because they know I will talk about difficult issues: The epidemic of fatherlessness, my proposal to fire George Soros-backed [district attorneys], and the lie that America is systemically racist. To make the debate stage in September, I need your help,” Elder said in an ad that aired last week.

Elder spent $163,000 in ads from Sept. 11 through Sept. 17, with ads airing in Miami, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Philadelphia. Johnson spent $458,000 in ads during the same period, which increased his spending by four times and made him the second-largest ad spender among GOP candidates. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) has spent the most on ads. Binkley spent the second highest of the trio, with $202,000 spent on ads last week.

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Both Johnson and Binkley had spent their funds on national ad campaigns in hopes of putting their national polling numbers over the criteria for the debate. Candidates need to secure 3% of the votes in two national polls, or two early state polls and one national, by the Sept. 25 deadline. Both candidates said they have reached the $50,000 donor threshold.

The second debate will take place in Simi Valley, California, on Sept. 27, 2023. Front-runner former President Donald Trump has announced that he will not attend the debate, despite qualifying. However, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Vice President Mike Pence, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will take part in the debate.

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