Republican presidential candidates gather for second debate (includes video story)

Republican presidential candidates attended the second GOP presidential debate in California on Wednesday night — except Trump.

Gov. DeSantis said the former president was “missing in action” and that “he should be on this stage tonight. He owes it to you to defend his record.”

The candidates discussed immigration, foreign policy and the economy.

Topics like climate policy, abortion rights and gun rights received little attention. Disagreements arose over funding for the war against Ukraine and relations with China.

All of the candidates at the debate last night still trail Trump by wide margins but all say they will continue to campaign to become the Republican nominee for president.

Paloma Pimentel

Reporter

Paloma Pimentel is a senior at FIU majoring in Digital Journalism and Communications, with a background in sociological studies. She is passionate about writing environmental and social issues stories, and is on her path to becoming an investigative journalist.  Having traveled to 20 countries already, she seeks to know more about the world and write stories about it.