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Bloomberg makes Las Vegas debate stage, facing Dem rivals for 1st time

Posted at 5:14 AM, Feb 18, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-18 10:51:21-05

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Billionaire Mike Bloomberg has qualified for the next Democratic presidential debate.

The former New York mayor will appear Wednesday in Las Vegas alongside Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg.

RELATED: 2020 Political Events Calendar for Las Vegas area

A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll published Tuesday shows Bloomberg with 19% support nationally.

It's the first time Bloomberg will stand alongside the rivals he has so far avoided by bypassing the early voting states and using his personal fortune to define himself through television ads. His campaign says he's "looking forward" to it.

The Democratic National Committee recently changed its rules for how a candidate qualifies for the debate, opening the door for Bloomberg. Tom Steyer hopes to qualify.