Sept. 27 Republican Debate Analysis

PHOENIX - Right after Wednesday's Republican debate, FOX 10 hosted our first-ever streaming event at 8 p.m. MST Arizona time (11 p.m. Eastern).

John Hook was joined by two of the Valley's premier political consultants, HighGround Inc..'s Chuck Coughlin, and Copper State Consulting Group's Stan Barnes. They broke down key moments in the debate: Who won? Who lost? What's next? And which candidate is in the best position to take on Donald Trump.

Here's what you need to know about the candidates who participated in the debate:

Doug Burgum

• Born August 1, 1956 in Arthur, North Dakota
• North Dakota governor
• Founded a software company that was sold to Microsoft in 2001
• Endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020
• Signed a near-total ban on abortion in North Dakota
• Sent National Guard troops to the southern border

Burgum, a former software entrepreneur now in his second term as North Dakota’s governor, nearly missed the first debate due to a tendon injury sustained while playing basketball with his campaign staff. But Burgum still participated, telling reporters afterward that he stood on one leg behind the podium.

Burgum has been using his fortune to boost his campaign, giving away $20 gift cards — "Biden Relief Cards," hitting Biden’s handling of the economy — in exchange for $1 donations. Critics have questioned whether the offer violates campaign finance law.

Chris Christie

• Born in Newark, New Jersey on September 6, 1962
• Former New Jersey governor
• Anti-Trump Republican
• Calls the former president a coward for not taking part in debates
• Slammed Ron DeSantis for failing to meet with President Joe Biden during tour of Hurricane Idalia damage

The former New Jersey governor opened his campaign by portraying himself as the only candidate ready to take on Trump, calling on the former president to "show up at the debates and defend his record."

Without Trump at the first debate, Christie was left without his primary intended target. At times, he was drowned out by the audience’s boos as he pushed back aggressively on questioning as to whether the candidates would support Trump even if he is convicted of felony charges.