5 Takeaways From the First Republican Presidential Debate

Eight Republican presidential candidates clashed over abortion, foreign policy, and the economy, and President Donald Trump.

Republican presidential candidates (L-R), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum participate in the first debate of the GOP primary season hosted by FOX News at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on Aug. 23, 2023. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Eight Republican presidential candidates clashed over abortion, foreign policy, and the economy on Aug. 23, and while the night ended with no clear favorite, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stole the spotlight in the contest to challenge former President Donald Trump, the undisputable favorite to win the party’s primary election.

It remains to be seen whether Mr. Ramaswamy’s success at standing out will resonate with the voters. Should he catch up to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the field of the runner-ups would be even less defined than it was prior to the debate.