North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum will participate in the first GOP presidential primary debate on Wednesday despite suffering a last-minute leg injury, according to Fox News.
The incident reportedly occurred Tuesday night while the candidate was playing basketball with campaign staff. He was taken to the emergency room and later learned that he had suffered a high-grade tear of his Achilles tendon.
Discussing Mr. Burgum’s injury Wednesday morning, his campaign spokesman Lance Trover said it was “unclear if he will be able to stand at the debate.”
But according to hosting network Fox News, the candidate has since confirmed his participation in the event, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
“I’ve played lots of pick-up games in my day! This isn’t the first time one has sent me to the ER. Appreciate all the well-wishes!” the 67-year-old governor wrote Wednesday morning in an X post.
Later that afternoon, he was filmed checking out the debate stage, supported by crutches.
“They’ve got strong podiums and they’ve got them bolted to the floor, so hopefully, that will provide the support I need,” he told NBC.
“If I have to stand on one leg for two hours to fulfill this mission of improving every American life, I’m happy to do it,” he added. “There’s all kinds of people who’ve made bigger sacrifices than that.”
Critical Moment
The first debate marks a pivotal moment for Mr. Burgum’s campaign. As one of the lesser-known candidates in the race, the opportunity to introduce himself to voters could prove invaluable to his presidential aspirations.
According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, he is currently polling in ninth place at 0.6 percent. In comparison, President Donald Trump, the frontrunner, is at 55.4 percent.
But as President Trump has promised to skip Wednesday night’s debate, the event could present a unique opportunity for his challengers to step into the spotlight.
Mr. Burgum, a wealthy businessman, earned his spot on the debate stage after offering $20 gift cards to donors for campaign contributions of just $1. The tactic propelled him past the unique donor threshold that the Republican National Committee required for participation.
Debate Night
The governor was one of eight Republican candidates to qualify and agree to participate in the first debate.
The coveted center-stage positions at the event will be occupied by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. Others set to participate include former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
But the elephant not in the room—President Trump—is likely to loom large over the debate, and his absence could also mean a downturn in viewership.
As his opponents take the stage in Milwaukee, the 45th president has arranged for his pre-recorded interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to air at the same time via the latter’s X account.
Promoting the interview Wednesday via his Truth Social account, President Trump urged his supporters to tune in, promising, “Sparks will fly!”
As for the debate, candidates will likely seize the opportunity to take shots at the frontrunner without exposing themselves to return fire.
For Mr. Ramaswamy, who has risen from relative obscurity to being a top contender, the event may provide an added boost to his surging campaign.
For Mr. DeSantis, whose campaign has thus far failed to live up to the expectations of many, the debate could make or break his chances of ever catching up to President Trump.
As for the other candidates, any opportunity for a breakout moment to help them stand out from the pack will likely be welcomed with open arms.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This article was updated to include Fox News’s confirmation that Mr. Burgum will participate in the debate.