Seven Republican candidates met for the second primary debate of the 2024 US presidential race in California Wednesday night, leveling attacks at President Joe Biden, and the partys dominant frontrunner Donald Trump who skipped the event.

The former President, who led his nearest rival by about 40 points in most opinion polls, skipped the debate, as he did the first one in Wisconsin last month, and instead travelled to Detroit, Michigan, to join striking autoworkers.

The debate in the western state of California was another opportunity for Trumps rivals to chip away at his massive lead among voters before the primary process kicks off in the state of Iowa in January.

The candidates tackled issues like the strike by United Auto Workers, the looming government shutdown, immigration policy and education, placing the blame squarely at Biden’s feet for most of the issues currently facing the country.

Taking the stage were Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former United Nations Amb
assador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

The first Republican primary debate last month did little to reset the dynamics of the race as candidates largely left frontrunner Donald Trump untouched.

Source: Qatar News Agency