Story highlights GOP candidates and party elders called on ABC News to put Carly Fiorina on stage for Saturday's Republican debate

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich pointed out that Fiorina outperformed Ohio Gov. John Kasich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in Iowa, but both men will still appear on stage Saturday

Washington (CNN) ABC announced Thursday that Carly Fiorina did not make the cut to appear at this weekend's debate, despite calls from several prominent Republicans who wanted her on the New Hampshire stage.

The network announced that Saturday's debate, which will not have an "undercard" event, will feature Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Cruz and Carson had joined former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich earlier Thursday to call on ABC News to put Fiorina on the stage.

Romney and Gingrich pointed out that Fiorina outperformed Kasich and Christie in Iowa, but both men will still appear on stage Saturday.

"Hey @ABC: put @CarlyFiorina on the debate stage! She got more Iowa votes than John and Chris. Don't exclude only woman," Romney tweeted Thursday. The tweet was quickly blasted out by Fiorina's campaign.

Hey @ABC: put @CarlyFiorina on the debate stage! She got more Iowa votes than John and Chris. Don't exclude only woman. — Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 4, 2016