Longshot Republican presidential candidates scramble to make 2nd debate next week

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum vows that his White House campaign will not be sidetracked if he falls short in his bid to qualify for next week's second GOP presidential nomination debate.

Burgum 's campaign and an allied super PAC are making major investments this week in trying to boost the national ID of a politician who is far from a household name outside his native North Dakota .

The Republican National Committee raised the thresholds the candidates need to reach to make the stage at the second showdown.

Among those still trying to qualify for the second debate are 2022 Michigan gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson , former CIA agent and former Rep. Will Hurd of Texas .

Hurd, who has said he will not sign the RNC 's pledge due to his vocal criticism of Trump , said he would drop out of the race if he does not qualify.