The Republican presidential debates of 2011 have served as high-stakes introductions for several of the party’s Oval Office hopefuls as the Republican field slowly expanded this summer.

Now, it’s Rick Perry’s turn.

On Wednesday evening, Mr. Perry, the governor of Texas, will face off against seven other candidates — Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon M. Huntsman Jr., Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum — during a debate at the Reagan library in Simi Valley, Calif.