CNN will host a Republican presidential primary debate at The Venetian in Las Vegas Tuesday, Oct. 18, as part of the Western Republican Leadership Conference, taking place at the same venue that week.
Republican leaders and activists from 16 states and territories will be attending the four-day confab, with the opportunity to question participating candidates.
The Nevada event joins two other Republican debates already announced by CNN. The cable news network is teaming up with the New Hampshire Union Leader and WMUR-TV on a presidential primary debate Tuesday, June 7, in Manchester, N.H. And CNN and Tea Party Express will host another Republican debate in Tampa, Fla. — site of the 2012 Republican National Convention — Monday, Sept. 12.
Western Republican Leadership Conference chairman and former Nevada Congressman Jon Porter said:
Republicans in Western states will play an important role in determining the next Republican nominee for president. On behalf of the Western Republican Leadership Conference, I am excited to be working with CNN on this important debate. I look forward to hosting our 2012 presidential candidates and showcasing their ideas on Western and national issues.
CNN political director and vice president of Washington programming Sam Feist added:
Nevada is the gateway to the West in the 2012 Republican presidential primary. This is an opportunity for GOP presidential candidates to speak, in person, to Nevada Caucus-goers, as well as voters from the 15 other states and territories represented by the Western region.