A record-breaking total of 17 individuals formally announced their candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election. Their first [[2016 presidential debate|debate]] was held on Thursday, August 6th, on the [[Fox News Channel]], and viewed by a record-breaking audience of 24 million people. As of February 14, 2016, after numerous debates and subsequent to the [[Iowa caucuses]] and [[New Hampshire primary]], six candidates remained in the race. | A record-breaking total of 17 individuals formally announced their candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election. Their first [[2016 presidential debate|debate]] was held on Thursday, August 6th, on the [[Fox News Channel]], and viewed by a record-breaking audience of 24 million people. As of February 14, 2016, after numerous debates and subsequent to the [[Iowa caucuses]] and [[New Hampshire primary]], six candidates remained in the race. |