New Hampshire Republicans urge Fox to open debates to more candidates

The letter was addressed to Fox News president Roger Ailes (pictured) and RNC president Reince Priebus. (Photo: Rob Kim/Getty)

They’re going to need a bigger stage.

New Hampshire Republicans Wednesday sent an open letter to Fox News and the Republican National Committee expressing concerns over a decision to limit the number of GOP candidates participating in the first presidential primary debate to 10.

There are already 10 candidates in the race and at least another five who could throw their hats into the already crowded ring.

Confirmed so far are: Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, George Pataki, Lindsey Graham and Rick Perry.

Those expected to make a run are: Jeb Bush, Scott Walker, Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal and John Kasich.

More than 50 politicians and activists signed the letter taking issue with the conservative news network’s recent announcement on the format of the debate, which is set to air Aug. 6.

“Denying candidates an opportunity to showcase their talents and experience in the first televised debate would artificially distort the political process, stifle democracy and competition, and induce voters to consider only those candidates pre-selected by virtue of their name ID rather than their potential as candidates,” the letter reads.

The signatories cite New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary status and the “pivotal role” of early primary and caucus states in closely examining and winnowing the field of candidates.

They argue that televised debate criteria should not replace this “solemn duty.”

“To do so would undermine the very nature of our process and the valuable service that states like New Hampshire provide to voters across the country.”

Open Letter to Fox News and RNC by Yahoo News