First Democratic presidential primary debate set for Miami

WASHINGTON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The first democratic presidential primary debate will be held in Miami, souTheastern U.S. state of Florida, The democratic National Committee (DNC) announced Thursday.

The event, which will take place in prime time on back-to-back nights on June 26 and 27, will be hosted by NBC News, MSNBC and Telemundo.

To qualify for The debates, candidates will have to eiTher score at least 1 percent in three qualifying polls or receive campaign contributions from a minimum of 65,000 individual donors.

The Miami debates will be The first of a dozen planned primary debates for a crowded field of democratic hopefuls.

It includes big-name Democrats such as senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke.

Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, former mayor of Newark, state of New Jersey, Cory Booker, and Wayne Messam, mayor of Florida's Miramar are also in The 2020 field.

Former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to announce his bid for The U.S. presidency soon.