Five Republican candidates are participating in the third 2024 presidential debate on Wednesday in Florida. The candidates on stage are Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Chris Christie. Donald Trump is skipping the event. DeSantis is positioning himself to the right of Trump on social issues but is struggling in polls. Ramaswamy is a political outsider gaining grassroots momentum. Haley is emphasizing her relative youth and background as a daughter of immigrants. Scott is focused on unifying the party with an optimistic message. Christie was formerly an ally of Trump but has become a critic, especially after the January 6th attack.