Milwaukee gears up for Republican primary debate some see as dry run for 2024 RNC
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Republican candidates and supporters converging on downtown Milwaukee.
A national media spotlight trained on the city.
And protesters poised to make their voices heard.
In many ways, Wednesday's Republican presidential primary debate at Fiserv Forum has the trappings of next year's Republican National Convention.
It's the first debate and first major event of the 2024 presidential election cycle — and a dry-run for the much bigger convention that will take place in Wisconsin's largest city next summer.
"You have people that are traveling from across the country and probably around the world, albeit at a smaller scale, ... to our city to see the debate," Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said.
More: Which Republican presidential candidates have qualified for the August 23 debate in Milwaukee?
It's an opportunity to market the city in hopes that the connections made to Milwaukee will create a "virtuous cycle" that lasts even once the political spotlight has moved on after the July 15-18, 2024, convention, Johnson said.
Eight candidates said they have qualified to be on the debate stage, having tallied at least 40,000 individual donors and met a polling threshold set by the party. It was unclear as of press time if the frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, will appear.
Others expected on stage include, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy of Ohio, former N.J. Gov. Chris Christie, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Vice President Mike Pence.
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel called the debate "a kickoff" to contrasting the party with President Joe Biden and the Democrats.
"And putting our candidates in a position to have a discussion not only to win the nomination but to win back the White House," she said.
McDaniel added the debate will be "a good test run" for next summer's convention.
"It gives us a chance to work out kinks on security and make sure we're figuring out transportation and the use of hotels," she said.
McDaniel said planning for next year is "going very well" and "the enthusiasm we've seen from the people of Milwaukee has been really exciting."
The debate is the centerpiece of RNC meetings in Milwaukee involving its 168 members.
The RNC's Committee on Arrangements will be in Milwaukee early to go over planning for next summer's convention.
The full RNC has scheduled meetings Wednesday through Friday. A vote is expected on the selection of the host city for the party's 2028 national convention. Houston, Nashville and Miami are the contenders.
There's also a big event for local business, a vendor fair with about 260 area firms that hope to get on the GOP radar ahead of the delegates' return next year. They'll be pitching their services and venues to entertain the thousands of delegates who will arrive in the city next summer.
"It's really a multi-pronged approach because there are so many different things that are occurring during the same timeframe," VISIT Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith said of efforts to showcase the city during the debate.
However, not all are pleased that the deeply blue city will be hosting Republicans. A group called the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 plans to protest the debate and Republicans' presence.
"It’s really only bringing dangerous groups and pretty reactionary politics to our city," said Omar Flores, the group's spokesperson.
Thousands expected at Republican debate at Fiserv Forum
Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin envisioned a bustle of activity inside and outside the arena.
"For us, it's a great test run," Feigin said. "We'll have a lot of high-profile Republicans in town, in the venue that will host the convention. We will have a sizeable contingent of national media."
Between 4,000 and 6,000 invited guests will be seated at Fiserv Forum's lower bowl, Feigin said. There will be no upper bowl seating.
Outside the arena, Feigin anticipated a festive but "very orchestrated" feel. There will be an event perimeter in the immediate area around Fiserv Forum. Media are claiming spaces inside but also out on the plaza.
The national conservative youth organization Young America's Foundation will be holding a block party in the plaza before the event, complete with food trucks, games and music.
"It will be cued up so all the people who’ve got tickets for the debate will come through that area and come into Fiserv Forum," said former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who leads YAF.
More: Wisconsin Republicans seek inroads with young voters ahead of first 2024 presidential debate
"For us it’s a big deal," Walker said. "It draws attention to the work we’re doing. Hopefully, we attract more students, more families. We think conservatives have to do a better job of reaching out to younger people."
There will also be a "GameDay" style pregame show on the plaza led by Ruthless, a popular conservative podcast hosted by Republican operatives. Instead of talking football, they'll be talking politics. They'll preview the event with distinguished guests, debate organizers and representatives from the campaigns.
Milwaukee police declined to comment on the department's preparations for the event, citing security reasons.
Johnson said local police are working with national law enforcement and the U.S. Secret Service to ensure the event is conducted safely, as they will be for the RNC.
He did not expect serious disruptions to everyday business in the area of the debate, in contrast to the extensive security perimeter that will take shape during the full-fledged convention next year. There will be a security perimeter around the arena, though, he said.
Flores anticipated a large crowd of people would march from Red Arrow Park downtown to Fiserv Forum in what he said is planned as a "family-friendly" protest. The group said it's taking steps to make sure the protest is safe.
"The question is partially out of our hands, and we also have to see how the Milwaukee Police Department is going to react because I note that they see this as a trial run for the RNC in 2024," he said. "So, we are a little bit concerned about the police response."
Debate to train millions of eyes on Milwaukee
The 2015 debate in Cleveland drew 24 million viewers. That figure potentially offers an idea of how many people will be tuned in to the Milwaukee event, Williams-Smith said.
"If 20 million people view or tune in to watch the debate, and they see that ... drone shot coming in over the water, over the art museum, or they see the Viking cruise ship docked in the port, they're going to look at Milwaukee differently," she said.
VISIT Milwaukee is working to help prepare the city to welcome an influx of people, including assisting with blocking off rooms and event spaces. Their communications team is putting together talking points to showcase the city and packets of information for members of the media who may be setting foot here for the first time. They're saying yes to interviews.
About 7,000 visitors are expected, just a small slice of the 50,000 people expected to arrive in the city for next summer's convention.
For Milwaukee, Walker said the debate is "a good warmup act just to draw attention, be excited, pumped up and know even bigger things will be coming next summer."
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee gears up for first 2023 Republican presidential debate
