GOP to host second presidential debate in California

The GOP will hold its second presidential primary debate of the year at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., the chair of the Republican National Committee announced Thursday.

POLITICO reported earlier Thursday that RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel would make the announcement during a Thursday evening speech at the library, according to a person familiar with the remarks. Her speech was focused on the future for the party heading toward the 2024 election.

Republicans have previously announced that their first debate will be held in Milwaukee in August, and that it would air on Fox News. McDaniel was not expected to specify when the second debate would be set for, or which outlet would air it.

The RNC has been entertaining pitches from an array of networks that are interested in airing the debates — ranging from conservative outlets like Newsmax to mainstream ones like CBS and NBC. The committee has also been working behind the scenes to determine what the thresholds should be for candidates to qualify to appear on the debate stage.

The Reagan Library has played host to GOP primary debates before, including in 2015, when it featured 11 candidates running for the party's nomination — including then-candidate Donald Trump.