Andrew Yang has qualified for the third and fourth Democratic primary debates scheduled for this fall.
The White House hopeful broke the news in a tweet on Monday, announcing that he is the 8th candidate to clinch a spot in the coveted events.
The 44-year-old entrepreneur joins former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Kamala Harris(D-CA), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), former Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke (D-TX) and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D).
“We did it #YangGang! As of today, we are officially the 8th candidate to qualify for the fall debates,” Yang wrote. “We are in this for the long haul. Thank you all for your support.”
We did it #YangGang! As of today, we are officially the 8th candidate to qualify for the fall debates. We are in this for the long haul. Thank you all for your support. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/y4s1tdzlQv
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) July 29, 2019
To qualify for the third and fourth debates — which will take place in September and October, respectively — candidates must receive at least 2% in four qualifying polls and have 130,000 unique donors, including a minimum of 400 per state in at least 20 states.
Yang, who met the donor requirement in June, reached the polling threshold on Monday, effectively securing his place in the upcoming debates.
Donor #130,000 is Joshua Evans from Havertown, Pennsylvania! Thank you Joshua and thank you #YangGang! Onwards to 2020! 👍🙏😀
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) June 29, 2019
Known for his “not right, not left, but forward” message, Yang drives his campaign with three major policies, namely freedom dividend, Medicare-for-all and human-centered capitalism.
Under freedom dividend, a promise of $1,000 a month for every adult distinguished his platform from the crowded Democratic field, the current frontrunners of which are Biden, Harris and Warren, according to CNN.
Yang’s announcement was met with jubilation from his growing number of supporters — affectionately known as the Yang Gang — who have been clamoring to see him have more airtime.
Back in the first debate, the Venture for America founder had a mere two minutes and 50 seconds of speaking time, partly due to a mysterious microphone issue.
They can only ignore you for so long… your ratings will skyrocket once Americans get to actually hear your message!
— Will LeGate (@williamlegate) July 29, 2019
— Yang is how we beat Trump (@gang4610) July 29, 2019
Great milsestone! This shows the growing strength of your platform and the power of growing #YangGang! Lots more to do … talk to a neighbor, make a phone call, invite a friend to the watch party… let the American people see the power of #HumanityFirst and #MATH💪
— Vincent Wang (@us_vincent) July 29, 2019
Hell yeah! Can’t wait to see Andrew Yang’s aggressive side! #YangGang pic.twitter.com/VkO5yfkfTl
— Politikal Diskourse (@PDiskourse) July 29, 2019
It is hard to believe how can anyone not vote for you once they listen to what you have to say. Your message is not left or right, it just makes sense. The bottom line is we need to get people to listen to your messages since many haven’t even they haven’t heard of you yet.
— humanityubi (@humanityubi) July 29, 2019
Proud of you! #YangGang pic.twitter.com/oItZpccCT2
— YangMemes™ 🐲☯️💰 (@YangMemes) July 29, 2019
See you in Houston for the September debates!! Houston peeps join the Houston Yang Gang. Find us @HouYangGang1 #houston #YangGang
— Cory PA (@CoryPA3) July 29, 2019
Hope you go with the no tie look for the September debates! #Yang2020 pic.twitter.com/NWRB9QFwBM
— Andrew Yang Fan Page (@AndrewYangFanP1) July 29, 2019
I saw someone wearing a Math hat in a small town today. I got so excited. “Nice hat.” I said… lol He probably doesnt know that I know he’s #yanggang lol
This really is happening. Woohoo!— Cherie Nova (@Cherie_Nova) July 29, 2019
— Robert Almeida | ロバート (@Robert__Almeida) July 29, 2019
Yang will participate in the second debate today and tomorrow, which will be held at the Fox Theatre in Detroit.
The third debate will take place at Texas Southern University, a historically Black institution, on Sept. 12 and 13.
Featured Image via Instagram / @andrewyang2020
