How Inslee (or any other candidate) could get to the presidential debate stage this summer

Gov. Jay Inslee entered the 2020 presidential race behind nearly a dozen other Democratic candidates, many with national name recognition. The Washington governor has a short window to meet the qualifications for the first presidential debate if he wants to be a serious contender in the race for the White House.

The Democratic National Committee announced in February new qualifying rules for the first debate, set for June. To get on the debate stage, Inslee would need to reach certain thresholds in grassroots funding or at the polls.

Days before announcing his campaign, a Morning Consult poll placed Inslee at the bottom of almost a dozen candidates or potential candidates running within the Democratic party. He polled at 0 percent among primary voters.

Candidates hoping to take the stage must win 1 percent support by voters in a series of polls or raise donations from 65,000 unique donors from across 20 states.

"[Inslee will] probably get there," said Austin Jenkins, Olympia correspondent for Northwest News Network. "If he can get to the debates this summer and into the fall then you start to get known nationally and you get to be up against your fellow Democrats and try to distinguish yourself."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/how-inslee-could-get-to-the-presidential-debate-stage-this-summer/ar-BBVgDN4