Republican presidential candidates Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and retired neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson said Thursday that they want rival Carly Fiorina to be included in Saturday’s GOP debate in New Hampshire.
Carson, without mentioning Fiorina specifically, tweeted his support for letting all candidates debate:
With 9 Republicans left, I call on the RNC to get rid of arbitrary requirements for debates. Americans deserve to hear from every candidate.
— Dr. Ben Carson (@RealBenCarson) February 4, 2016
Cruz reportedly told reporters that Fiorina “deserves to be there,” according to Washington Post reporter Dave Weigel:
Cruz: “I would encourage the organizers of the debate to put @CarlyFiorina there. She deserves to be there.” pic.twitter.com/LBxBsNsW1j
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) February 4, 2016
In a letter, Fiorina urged the Republican National Committee to convince ABC News to let her into the debate because she outperformed some other Republican presidential hopefuls in the Iowa caucuses.
Other Republicans who have supported Fiorina’s efforts to debate include former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
ABC is expected to announce its official debate lineup on Thursday.