Republicans will hold their first presidential primary debate in Milwaukee
Milwaukee will host the first Republican presidential primary debate in August, according to the Republican National Committee.
The event will coincide with the RNC's summer meeting.
So far, Milwaukee has been the only city chosen to host a debate. The event will be a precursor to the 2024 Republican National Convention in the city and a chance to bring even more national exposure to Milwaukee.
"The Standing Committee on Presidential Debates has been hard at work over the past two days reviewing RFPs from organizations interested in hosting primary debates," Republican National Committee chair Ronna McDaniel wrote in a memo obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The memo does not say where in Milwaukee the debate will be held.
"We have a long way to go, but I am confident we will be able to showcase our eventual nominee in a world class fashion," McDaniel said.
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Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the announcement is an "affirmation Milwaukee is an ideal location to stage a major event. I want our hospitality industry to grow — and for hardworking Milwaukee residents to have even more employment opportunities."
In a tweet, Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Brian Schimming said he's excited Milwaukee has been selected as the city to host a debate.
"We’re looking forward to not only hosting the 2024 RNC, where we will show off our exceptional city & the future president of the United States, but excited MKE has been selected to host the first presidential debate!" Schimming tweeted.
Only two major candidates have come forward to announce their candidacy for the Republican nomination, former President Donald Trump and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.
The field could eventually include such names as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The committee is hoping all candidates will sign a loyalty pledge to support the eventually nominee in order to participate in the debates, but the RNC would not confirm, according to the New York Times.
McDaniel confirmed Milwaukee would get presidential primary debate earlier this month during a host committee kick off event at 3rd Street Market Hall.
Milwaukee kicking off the presidential debate cycle in August follows a similar pattern to 2016 when Cleveland hosted the Republican National Convention in mid-July of that year and the first debate in 2015.
During that same cycle, Milwaukee hosted a GOP debate in November 2015 at the Milwaukee Theatre. In 2016, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders debated at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
A Democratic presidential primary debate was also held in Milwaukee in 2004.
Corrinne Hess can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CorriHess
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First Republican presidential primary debate to be held in Milwaukee