The Utah GOP debate was cancelled after only one eligible candidate was left as a possible participant.
Fox News Channel announced the cancellation Wednesday after Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and John Kasich said they would not participate.
Texas senator Ted Cruz was the only remaining GOP presidential candidate to not remove himself from the debate.
"I'm not going to be doing the [@Foxnews] debate."
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) March 16, 2016
-@realDonaldTrumphttps://t.co/D8DofXStMZ
Fox News Channel issued a statement from executive vice president from Michael Clemente Wednesday morning:
“This morning, Donald Trump announced he would not be participating in the debate. Shortly afterward, John Kasich’s campaign announced that without Trump at the debate, Kasich would not participate. Ted Cruz has expressed a willingness to debate Trump or Kasich — or both. But obviously, there needs to be more than one participant. So the Salt Lake City debate is cancelled.”
In addition to Trump and Kasich’s refusal, Candidate Marco Rubio announced his withdrawal from the race on Tuesday night after losing the Florida primary, his home state, to Donald Trump.
Kasich campaign strategist John Weaver tweeted Wednesday morning that Kasich might attend the debate if Trump does.
If Trump changes his mind -- as Carson said there are 2 Trumps -- we will be there. Positive contrasts nicely with division. #Sybil
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) March 16, 2016
Weaver also speculated on Twitter this morning that the Utah debate wouldn’t take place after Trump made his announcement and confirmed that Kasich would come to Utah to campaign.
Kasich is set to hold town hall meetings at Utah Valley University, University of Utah and Davis High School at the following times according the Kasich campaign website.
No debate in SLC Monday due to Trump backing out. No surprise Trump avoiding contrast. Utah: @JohnKasich headed your way Fri.
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) March 16, 2016
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