Eight presidential hopefuls gathered on stage at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee for the first debate of the 2024 presidential race on Wednesday, Aug. 23, to share their platforms with America.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum stood among them, despite tearing his Achilles tendon during a pickup basketball game, sending him to the emergency room the night before the big debate.
“I took it a little too literally when they said go to Milwaukee and break a leg,” Burgum joked.
While he managed to stay out of infighting that consumed much of the debate, he did not have a standout moment in the two-hour event and spoke only eight times before closing statements.
However, the governor got a good cheer from the audience when he was announced, last in the field of eight candidates because he is currently polling in last place out of those who qualified for the debate.
His hometown of Arthur, North Dakota, wished him well before he left for the debate, he told the crowd.
“I’m from a town of 300 people,” Burgum said. “It's a big deal to make it on this stage with all these folks.”
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