GOP Candidates Brawl Over China, Border in 2nd Debate as Moderators Struggle to Retain Control

Topics in the first hour included the border crisis, crime, fentanyl, and education.

(L–R) North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former South Carolina Gov. and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and former Vice President Mike Pence attend the second Republican presidential primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Sept. 27, 2023. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Seven GOP presidential contenders took the stage on Sept. 27 to make their case for why they should face off against the Democratic nominee, likely current President Joe Biden.

Former South Carolina Gov. and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott took the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California.