Fact-checking the 2024 GOP presidential field's first showdown

Eight Republican contenders for president faced off Wednesday in the first primary debate of the 2024 race, exchanging barbs that were at times personal, contentious, and misleading.

The candidates sparred over everything from abortion to transgender rights, with some relying on their government experience and others on their outsider perspective as they made their case to voters.

Here are some of the debate claims that stretched the facts.

Chris Christie touts economic record: “We cut taxes in New Jersey. We cut debt in New Jersey.”

Christie’s rosy picture of his economic record as governor of New Jersey is not quite the whole story.

New Jersey law requires state lawmakers to balance the budget each year, so Christie never had a choice other than keeping debt low. While he was governor, his state’s credit rating was downgraded multiple times because of financial issues, such as an underfunded pension system.