Republican 2023 presidential debate live updates: Protesting has ended; no commotion in Deer District

Eight candidates seeking the White House next year took the stage for the first 2023 Republican presidential debate Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Here's a rundown of the Journal Sentinel's updates from the day as the world descended to Milwaukee to kick off the 2024 presidential race in the same city that will host the Republican National Convention next July.

Protesting has ended; no commotion in Deer District

As of 10:30 p.m. the Deer District outside the Fiserv Forum was calm as debate attendees slowly filed out for the evening.

A group go about 250 protesters had disbanded for the night shortly after 9 p.m. and there was no commotion as attendees moseyed to bars, their cars or hotel rooms.— Elliot Hughes

Video: Should Donald Trump be in future debates? 'Why would he?' says Donald Trump Jr.'

Read the full story

— Lawrence Andrea 

Did Milwaukee have '30 shootings' last weekend, as Fox News' Bret Baier said?

Fox News’ Bret Baier said in a question to Chris Christie that Milwaukee had “30 shootings” last weekend. If he meant 30 victims, that figure is near-accurate, but Milwaukee had about half of 30 shootings.

Milwaukee Police reports at least 26 people were injured and at least three people died in shootings

Two mass shootings occurred over the weekend, among the victims were children. Andrea Sanders, 17, also died in a separate shooting as a trend of youth homicides continues in Milwaukee.

Read the full story

— Drake Bentley 

Video: Chris Christie explains why he won't support Donald Trump

Protesters walk to Fiserv Forum before returning to Red Arrow Park

After circling around Fiserv Forum, protesters returned to Red Arrow Park. More speakers blasted candidates for their stances on race, climate change and abortion rights.

"We're on the right side of history," said Alan Chavoya, of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression.

Event organizer Aurelia Ceja expected some counterprotesters during the march, and she said about 20 engaged with protesters in the streets near the arena.

"It was dealt with very well," Ceja said. “We just don't engage and move on with our fight and our agenda. We're fighting for justice. They can go ahead and stand in our way but we'll keep on moving."

About 250 attended Wednesday's protest, which was organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024. How many next summer?

"We're hoping to have thousands across the country," she said. — Kelly Meyerhofer

Protesters to Republican presidential candidates at debate: 'You are not welcome here'

Speakers at Tuesday night’s protest of the Republican presidential debate made it clear they would not support any candidate from the GOP.

“You are not welcome here,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz of Voces de La Frontera. “None of the candidates are a lesser alternative to (Donald) Trump.”More than 250 people attended the demonstration in the park despite temperatures lingering in the high 90s by 7 p.m.

Speakers accused the Republican Party of being racism, sexist, transphobic and anti-worker.

“It is an all-out war on the working class,” said Tracey Schwerdtfeger of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council.

After about a half-hour of speeches, the crowd snaked through downtown for a half mile until it arrived outside the Fiserv Forum.

As protesters walked by, a projected message onto the stadium read “Parents want love, not MAGA hate.”

Meanwhile marchers chanted “Milwaukee is a union town” and “Say it loud, say it clear, Republicans aren’t welcome here,” the chants continued.— Elliot Hughes

Donald Trump's staffers not allowed into debate room

Security staff are barred from allowing into Wednesday’s debate spin room three staffers of former President Donald Trump, according to a new report.

According to a flyer obtained by NBC News, staff were given a flyer with the photos of Trump staffers Jason Miller, Justin Caparole and Danny Tiso and a message that says “Not approved for entry//Not a valid credential.”

Trump is not attending Wednesday’s presidential debate but had planned to send surrogates in his place.

Miller entered the debate hall anyway, according to NBC News reporter Dasha Burns.

— Molly Beck

Small protest crowd at Red Arrow Park

Around 250 people have gathered in Red Arrow Park in protest of the eight Republican presidential debaters and their stances on abortion, transgender rights, labor issues and racial equity.

“It’s really funny to see people get in a. Stage and debate the lives and rights of people,” Aurelia Ceja, an event organizer, said in an interview. “We’re not here for it.

The demonstration was organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024. Around a dozen speakers are expected to address the crowd before marching a half-mile to the Fiserv Forum to protest the debate inside.

Ceja said she expected the extreme heat to impact the attendance of the demonstration, with temperatures still resting in the high 90s as of 7 p.m. She said 1,500 water bottles were donated to support protesters.

Around 250 people have gathered in Red Arrow Park in protest of the eight Republican presidential debaters and their stances on abortion, transgender rights, labor issues and racial equity.

“It’s really funny to see people get in a. Stage and debate the lives and rights of people,” Aurelia Ceja, an event organizer, said in an interview. “We’re not here for it.”

The demonstration was organized by the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024. Around a dozen speakers are expected to address the crowd before marching a half-mile to the Fiserv Forum to protest the debate inside.

Ceja said she expected the extreme heat to impact the attendance of the demonstration, with temperatures still resting in the high 90s as of 7 p.m. She said 1,500 water bottles were donated to support protesters.

“I’m here in solidarity,” said protester Mike Christie. “But the heat is a lot so I may dip out early.”Wednesday’s event was the hottest protest Tammy Gibbs has ever participated in, and she’s attended more than a dozen rallies. But she never entertained the idea of skipping due to heat.

“Not an option,” she said.

Abortion rights and LGBTQ rights were among Gibbs’ top political priorities.

“It just seems like the GOP has lost their minds,” she said.

— Elliot Hughes

YAF block party crowds were thin despite debate hype

Crowds at the Young America's Foundation Block Party were sporadic and largely filled with political heavyweights Wednesday afternoon as sweltering heat pummeled those who attended.

Those who did show up were mostly debate attendees, media personalities and high-profile political figures, some from other states. And while there were some young people in the crowd, most visitors were older.

Outside of media tapings for conservative shows and a few food vendors, Wednesday's crowd was spread thin throughout the Deer District. It's a far cry from the packed events Milwaukee residents are used to during Bucks games.

Heat was certainly an obstacle for those who packed into the Deer District. The heat index topped 100 degrees Wednesday, and the National Weather Service warned of "dangerously hot conditions" for anyone outdoors.

The event lasted less than three hours, with most filtering out by 6:30 p.m.

— Tyler Katzenberger

Democratic leaders speak before Republican debate

More than 100 people packed themselves in No Studios in the Brewery District to listen to union and progressive leaders offer a rebuttal before the Republican Presidential Primary Debate on Wednesday.

Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore touted funding for infrastructure work provided by the Inflation Reduction Act as a benefit to Wisconsin residents, especially those working on the projects.

“We created incentives for these jobs to be labor union and apprenticeship jobs,” Moore said. “These are the kinds of jobs that people can have not just dignity, but they can actually afford to eat and have a place to live at the same time.”

Moore said Democrats and the Biden administration, through the child tax credit, helped give low-income families financial relief.

“Even people who were not hanging on by the hair of their chinny chin chin, we were able to provide for them extra money so they could comfortably pay for uniforms for their kids to be in little league, and buy school supplies... that is what this president (Joe Biden) has done for you lately,” Moore said.

Jaime Harrison, chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, said to the union crowd the Republican presidential candidates have “forgotten the importance of unions in building this great nation.”

“Laborers, police officers, firefighters, educators, nurses, painters, airline workers, custodians, transit workers, steel workers, grocery store workers, and hotel workers, they all built this country,” Harrison said. “You all are the backbone of this country and deserve to be treated as such. And that’s exactly what the Biden, Harris administration has done. But unfortunately, my friends, we’ve got an extreme anti-worker, anti-union bag of Republicans trying to take us backwards.”

Former lieutenant governor and Democratic senate candidate Mandela Barnes said Republicans are “people who are coming after our quality of life; people who don’t want to see us being paid what we’re worth.”

“It’s going to be a whole stage full of people who want to come after people and attack abortion access. It’s going to be a room full of people who are going to attack you based on who you love, based on where you were born, based on where you live. It’s going to be a room of people who want to come after our voting rights,” Barnes said. “We know who they are, but we also know who we are. We’re a room full of people who are ready to organize; ready to fight for someone we don’t even know; ready to fight for people who don’t look like us; who don’t share our religion; don’t have the same sexual orientation, people who care about making this country a better place for everybody.”

After the speeches the crowd gathered and marched to Fiserv Forum, the setting for the debate, chanting and holding signs. The crowd stuck to the sidewalks and received no resistance from police that were present or Republican Party supporters.

A plane with a message criticizing the Republican 2024 field circled above the Deer District and Fiserv Forum about an hour and half before the debate was set to begin.

— Ricardo Torres

Plane flies above Fiserv Forum with message criticizing Republican field

Top Democrats, including the DNC chairman, met in Milwaukee earlier Wednesday, arguing President Joe Biden should be given a second term to protect from "MAGA extremism."

The advertisement is part of the Democratic National Committee's messaging against the presidential hopefuls, who are set to take the stage at 8 p.m.

"GOP 2024: A Race for the Extreme MAGA Base," the banner trailing the plane reads.

Biden's campaign rolled out a TV spot that was set to begin airing today, part of a $25 million ad buy.

— Hope Karnopp

Preview of Tucker Carlson's interview with Donald Trump posted on X (formerly Twitter)

“Well, you know, a lot of people have been asking me that,” Trump replied.

Five minutes before the first Republican primary debate starts tonight, a video of Tucker Carlson interviewing former president Donald Trump will air on X, formerly Twitter.

Trump made it official Sunday that he would be skipping Wednesday’s debate, citing his big lead in GOP polls.

“Whatever you think of Trump, he is, as of tonight, the indisputable runaway frontrunner in the Republican race,” Carlson said in a video he shared on the platform. “We think voters have an interest in hearing what he thinks. So, when Trump approached us about having a conversation for a far larger audience than he’d receive on cable news, we happily accepted.”

Carlson and Fox News parted ways earlier this year.

Later Wednesday, Carlson posted on X a preview of the interview, which was conducted in Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump National Golf Club is located.

“Why aren’t you at the Fox News debate tonight in Milwaukee?” Carlson asked.

It appears Carlson asked Trump quite the array of questions during their time together, including:

“It started with protests against you, then it moved to impeachment twice, and now, indictment. Are you worried that they’re going to try and kill you? Why wouldn’t they try and kill you, honestly?”

Based on the preview video, other topics will include former vice president and current candidate Mike Pence, Jeffrey Epstein, the 2020 election, open conflict, and if Trump thinks the country is headed for civil war.

Also in the preview, Trump called President Joe Biden “the worst president in the history of our country” and said he didn’t think Biden would “make it to the gate.”

Trump plans to turn himself in Thursday for booking at the Fulton County jail in Atlanta on charges of trying to overturn the 2020 election.

— Hannah Kirby 

Scott Walker: Skipping Wisconsin a 'missed opportunity' for Donald Trump

Republican former Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Ron Johnson think Donald Trump should have visited Wisconsin despite the former president's decision to skip the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee.

"I think it's a missed opportunity," Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel at a conservative pre-debate event Wednesday afternoon in the Deer District.

Walker also suggested Trump should have attended the Republican presidential debate scheduled for Wednesday evening at Fiserv Forum.

"I think he would have done a tremendous job. I saw how dominant he was on the stage eight years ago," he said. "I think it's always good to come to Wisconsin."

Johnson also suggested Trump should have visited Wisconsin

"I would have liked to see him come," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "But it's a choice he had to make. It's a tough decision, with all the indictments."

Trump confirmed he would not attend the debate in a post to his Truth Social platform Sunday, citing his wide lead over the rest of the Republican field in recent polls. He instead pre-recorded an interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson that is expected to air at 7:55 p.m. on Carlson's Twitter account, five minutes before eight GOP presidential candidates take the stage in Milwaukee.

Trump is not expected to visit Wisconsin on Wednesday, a move President Joe Biden's campaign said last week was because Trump "knows Wisconsin is a state that illustrates his failed leadership."

Johnson was one of several high-profile political figures who braved searing heat Wednesday afternoon to visit the Deer District for a block party event hosted by the conservative Young America's Foundation. Donald Trump, Jr., Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also appeared at the event, which featured multiple live recordings of conservative media shows.

—Tyler Katzenberger

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum taken to the hospital for torn Achilles tendon, but will participate in tonight's debate

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball and was taken to a Milwaukee emergency room on Tuesday, however he has returned to Fiserv Forum and will participate in tonight's debate.

"Gov. Burgum sustained an injury while playing a pick-up game of basketball with campaign staff," Mike Nowatzki, communications director for the governor's office told USA TODAY, referring other questions to the campaign.

Burgum, 67, is on crutches, his campaign said, and may not be able to physically stand.

— USA TODAY

'Tampa Five' in Milwaukee to protest Ron DeSantis' education policy

A member of the “Tampa Five” – a group arrested this spring while rallying against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ education agenda – is in Milwaukee to once again protest his policies while he takes the debate stage to defend them.

“I’m here to say drop the charges and also stop your racist, sexist, anti-gay agenda,” Chrisley Carpio told the Journal Sentinel about her message tonight. DeSantis, she said, represents “an attack on free speech and an attack on the student movement.”

DeSantis has banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, defunded diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at Florida public colleges and limited tenure protections for faculty.

Carpio, 31, was one of five protesters arrested in connection with a March 6 rally at the University of South Florida that resulted in a physical altercation with police. Carpio was employed by USF at the time.

Versions of how the protest played out differ, The Tampa Bay Times reported. Carpio said she and others were “attacked by police” while police have said protesters initiated the encounter and pushed an officer to the ground.

The “Tampa Five” – Carpio and four USF students – were charged with battery against a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest without violence and disrupting a school or campus function. If convicted, they could face years in prison.

They pleaded not guilty in May.

— Kelly Meyerhofer

Sen. Ron Johnson meets with Moms For Liberty at Pfister Hotel

At the Pfister Hotel Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson talked strategy with members of Moms for Liberty at the Pfister, where the group has gathered for events surrounding the Republican presidential debate.

Moms for Liberty, a national organization with local chapters that have opposed diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in schools, has been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist antigovernment organization.

The organization originally planned to host an event with presidential candidates at the Italian Community Center. It then ditched those plans and announced it would instead host the event with Johnson.

Johnson spoke with a small invite-only crowd of about a dozen people. Audience members pushed Johnson on supporting a federal parental bill of rights and dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

Johnson, while agreeing with the ideas in theory, deflected on action. He encouraged the audience to push for changes at local and state levels, noting the lack of Republican power at the federal level.

“We got to take the power back here locally and at the state level,” Johnson said.

Johnson also encouraged them to focus on “targeted” issues, specifically trans people using public showers.

Leading up to the event, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association and others called on Marcus Corp., which owns the Pfister, to refuse to host Moms for Liberty.

— Rory Linnane

Heat keeps Deer District quiet around midday

The blistering heat and humidity kept many people indoors Wednesday afternoon. A few visitors were milling around Fiserv Forum and its plaza, known as the Deer District, about 1 p.m.

A contingent of young supporters of former president Donald Trump intermittently cooled off in the shade and marched around the plaza holding signs.

Some staff arrived in suits and made their way indoors quickly. Most of those who ventured outdoors were members of the media, wearing press passes. Television news cameras were lined up in the plaza as they had been all day.

Sandy Juno of Green Bay, the retired Brown County clerk, was taking in the sights of the Deer District from an Adirondack chair in the shade outside Punch Bowl Social.

Juno will be in the debate audience. She and her friend said they don’t visit Milwaukee often but were finding it to be friendly and easy to navigate.

They were scoping out good spots for barbecue after sampling some food earlier in the day at the Baird Center, where hundreds of local vendors were offering their products ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Juno said she was especially interested in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Juno hoped the candidates talked about inflation.

“You see what the prices are now. I know what it’s like for us. But I can’t imagine what it’s like for a young family, especially if you’ve got kids in diapers, who need formula. I don’t know how they do it,” she said.

“That’s my concern, that they have a shot at the American dream.”

David Standridge of New Berlin, a retiree who worked in health and wellness, stopped by the Deer District to see what was happening and to hand out QR codes for his music.

Standridge wore a shirt that read, “We Need John Lennon,” also the title of the song linked on his flyers. He advocated for more “peace and harmony” in politics.

“These guys are going to yell at each other, they’re going to yell at Biden, they’re going to yell at everything that’s wrong with America. And that’s just not the way to go about it,” Standridge said.

Standridge was hesitant at first about the debate being held in Milwaukee.

“But this is Wisconsin nice, Midwest nice,” Standridge said. “No matter what (people) think of the candidates, I hope they’ll show them the hospitality that the city is known for.”

— Sophie Carson

RNC chairman Reince Priebus praises Milwaukee and Mayor Cavalier Johnson as host city

Reince Priebus, host chairman for the 2024 Republican National Convention, heaped praise on Milwaukee and its Democratic mayor, Cavalier Johnson at the Republican Partner Convention Fair at the Baird Center on Wednesday.

As Milwaukee and the RNC prepare for the convention next year, many delegates are going to be looking for places to hold events, cater food, print materials or other many tasks. That’s where Wisconsin businesses can take advantage of the major event.

“People don’t realize that all of those states, all of those territories, they have their own delegation that has events for two weeks during the convention,” Priebus said. “The idea was that we wanted to feature all of the local businesses here so those states can plan their events.”

Priebus said Johnson has “been absolutely fabulous” and “integral to make sure that this event gets off to a good start.”

“Obviously we’re from different political parties but quite frankly, what’s great to see here... whether you’re a hardcore Republican, Democrat or independent, it’s nice to see that you can have Republicans and Democrats working together for the future of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin,” Priebus said.

According to the GOP, there were 300 different vendors at the fair, 52 of them were minority-owned businesses, 48 were owned by women and two veteran-owned businesses.

“The impact of this convention on the city of Milwaukee is estimated to be $200 million in revenue,” said Ronna McDaniel, Republican National Committee chairwoman. “It’s not just about the RNC, that’s what it’s about. It’s about the business owners of the people of this great city.”

McDaniel said Johnson “put away partisanship” to work with the committee to bring the convention to Milwaukee.

“That’s what leaders do,” McDaniel said.

In the lead up to the announcement of the host city, Johnson said he personally flew to Washington, D.C. to convince the committee to choose Milwaukee for the 2024 convention.

“When you walk around this fair, you see the businesses from all across Milwaukee,” Johnson said. “Literally every single aldermanic district is represented.”

Johnson said the convention next year is going to put the city in a spotlight.

“This convention will allow us to stand up and say ‘We will be seen. We will be heard. We want more events like this in Milwaukee,’” Johnson said.

— Ricardo Torres

Top Democrats met in Milwaukee to blast Republican candidates

Top Democrats met in Milwaukee Wednesday to blast Republican presidential candidates challenging President Joe Biden, criticizing the party's position on abortion and efforts to undermine the 2020 presidential election result.

Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison, Biden campaign co-chairman Cedric Richmond, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman Ben Wikler and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway argued the Democratic president should be given a second term based on his navigation of the economy and to protect from what they described as "MAGA extremism."

"This group is as extreme as it gets. A bag full of MAGA apples and they are all rotten. They are wildly out of step with the American people," Harrison said at a press conference held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Milwaukee.

— Molly Beck

First look at the Republican debate stage at Fiserv Forum

We have our first look at the stage for tonight’s debate at Fiserv Forum and it’s bright, high-tech and very red, white and blue.

Photos from debate organizer Fox News Channel show eight podiums for the eight candidates. They’ll be backed by a curved wall and an imposing arch supported by columns. Higher up and in the center is a logo, “Fox News Democracy 24.”

Another photo shows the logo on the stadium scoreboard.

— Bill Glauber

Marjorie Taylor Greene on Donald Trump skipping the debate: 'I told him not to' attend

Georgia U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she told former president Donald Trump not to participate in Wednesday’s Republican primary debate.

Taylor Greene made the comments to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as she was leaving the studio of 101.7 The Truth, a talk radio station focused on Milwaukee’s Black community.

“I told him not to,” Taylor Greene said, referring to Trump. “He’s winning by giant margins. There’s really– there was no need for him to.”

Asked for comment on the other Republican candidates on the debate stage, Taylor Greene said: “They’re not going to win.”

Taylor Greene gave a forceful pitch for giving former President Donald Trump another term in the White House during her discussion with host Sherwin Hughes.

She said she did not believe President Joe Biden was legitimately elected in 2020, repeating debunked claims put forward by Trump that rely, in part, on falsehoods about Milwaukee’s system of elections.

“I gotta start with this. Did Joe Biden legitimately win the 2020 presidential election?” Hughes asked.

“I don't think so,” Taylor Greene replied.

Taylor Greene also said she believed charges leveled at Trump, some of which are over his actions leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, were “politically motivated” and said Trump did not pursue similar criminal proceedings against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over her use of a personal email server to conduct official business.

Hughes also asked Taylor Greene whether Republicans would support providing Black Americans compensation for the lasting effects of slavery. Taylor Greene said doing so would open floodgates.

“I don't believe in reparations because there's going to be some group, some identity, someone else that's always going to come forward and bring their wrongs and demand payment from the American taxpayers in this country,” Taylor Greene said. “I welcome anyone to the Republican Party, but I hope they come for other reasons.”

When asked whether she would consider being Trump’s running mate, Taylor Greene said she would “definitely consider it.”

“I'd be honored if he asked, but you know, I think that's a decision for President Trump and his team alone,” she said. “And to tell you the truth, I'm really proud and honored to represent Georgia's 14th district.”

A retired Milwaukee Public Schools teacher, Karen Rinka, stopped by 3rd St. Market Hall, where 101.7 The Truth has its studio, to get a glimpse of Taylor Greene through the studio window.

Rinka is a regular listener of The Truth and called herself a “good liberal.” She said she was surprised to hear Taylor Greene had been booked on the show, but she appreciated that Sherwin Hughes, the host, was hearing diverging viewpoints such as Greene’s.

“I think it’s great he’s got her on,” Rinka said. “She’s got a voice, she’s got something to say.”

Rinka pointed to the divisiveness in today’s political conversation.

“It’s important for us all to come to the table,” she said, “wherever we come from.”

In response to Taylor Greene’s visit, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Joe Oslund issued a statement:

"Putting an extremist election denier like Marjorie Taylor Greene front and center tells you everything you need to know about what we'll hear from the MAGA Republican field on the debate stage tonight.

“Marjorie Taylor Greene showing up in Wisconsin as a top Republican surrogate and denying the clear results of the 2020 election shows just how completely Donald Trump has captured the GOP with his lies and an extreme agenda doomed to fail with Wisconsin voters."

— Sophie Carson and Molly Beck

How the Republican presidential candidates are preparing for the first debate

Mock debates. Campaign staffers pretending to be fierce rivals. Playbooks full of strategies and talking points.

These are all tactics presidential campaigns use to get candidates ready for debate night. As the first Republican primary debate approaches Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum, the crowded field of GOP hopefuls will make their pitch to voters − and target their rivals on a national stage.

But how are these candidates preparing for the first 2024 debate? What are their strengths as they gear up for the event? And more importantly, what are their weaknesses?

And what about when the unexpected happens? As is the case of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who was injured while playing basketball and taken to a Milwaukee emergency room the day before the debate.

Reporters from the USA TODAY Network reached out to a slate of Republican presidential candidates to see how they hope to compete this week. Here's a peek at their plans.

— USA TODAY

Outside Fiserv Forum, curious visitors, Milwaukee residents take a look at preparations

Twelve hours ahead of the start of the Republican presidential primary debate, the plaza outside Fiserv Forum was surrounded by tall fences covered in black tarps.

On the plaza, known as the Deer District, a line of television reporters prepared for live broadcasts. Security guards were stationed at fenced-off entrances.

Young America’s Foundation, a partner of the debate, was set to host a pre-debate “block party” on the plaza. Cornhole games and cocktail tables were set up near a stage.

Joggers, dog walkers and people walking to work downtown were some of the only people near the plaza, known as the Deer District.

Michael Trager, 67, a certified public accountant from Queens, New York, was checking out the scene around 8 a.m. He will be in the debate audience.

“I’m thinking less theater and more substance,” Trager said of what he expects from the debate.

Trager is looking forward to hearing what the candidates say on the border, taxes and the economy.

On which candidate he’s supporting, he said: “I’m open.”

Trager liked what he’d seen of Milwaukee so far. He’s “always had a liking for Milwaukee” since his mother underwent an innovative heart surgery at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital nearly four decades ago.

“I’m impressed by its cleanliness and by its friendliness,” Trager said.

Stephanie Valdez, 26, was one of the dog walkers taking a stroll past Fiserv Forum. She and her Yorkshire Terrier, Rocky, moved to Milwaukee about three weeks ago from Texas for a job at Northwestern Mutual.

“I’m here with all the action right now,” Valdez said. “We’ve been seeing them getting set up and everything. It’s exciting, for sure.”

Valdez said she hopes the candidates discuss the economy and how they would support the middle class.

“That’s an issue I’ve seen with my family, is just the middle class being affected,” she said.

Three young men who said they were volunteers with former president Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign declined to give their names but said they were planning to walk around the area holding signs throughout the day.

One sign said “VP tryouts 2023,” depicting candidates Mike Pence, Nikki Haley, Ron De Santis and Tim Scott grayed out in the background, with a photo of Trump in color in the center.

Martin Kutzler, who lives about two blocks from Fiserv Forum in the Brewery District, said he will be watching Trump’s interview with Tucker Carlson tonight, but he may also tune into the debate.

He wants the candidates to address inflation and to pledge to stop American involvement in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

“I'm just coming from the grocery store. I can tell you prices have not gone down,” he said.

Kutzler said he appreciated Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s “pro-Milwaukee” approach to the debate taking place in the city.

“I hope it shows a national audience that we are not just brats and cheese. There’s a little more cosmopolitan to us,” he said.

The attention, Kutzler said, is “long overdue.”

— Sophie Carson

Heat warning in effect Wednesday will affect people preparing for debate

The forecast on Wednesday will be extremely hot for people gearing up for the debate outside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.Wednesday's forecast calls for temperatures climbing into the upper 90s as the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning across parts of the state. The heat index in Milwaukee is expected to reach 111 degrees near the hottest part of the day around noon to 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

— Alex Groth

Mayor Cavalier Johnson encourages orderly protests

Speaking outside city hall early Wednesday, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson encouraged protests planned for the Republican presidential primary debate to be orderly.

Those who destroy property or harm others would be arrested, Johnson said.

“While I hope no arrests will be made, if individuals make the choice, if they choose to break the law, then they will be taken into custody,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he has “extreme confidence” in the Milwaukee Police Department’s preparations for security and planned demonstrations.

Johnson said he welcomes the debate to Milwaukee because he wants to attract more large-scale events to the city to boost the economy.

“I want Milwaukee to be seen in the best possible light,” he said. “I want more events, I want more conventions, I want more big meetings to take place in Milwaukee as well.

“And most importantly, I want the jobs, I want the spending, I want the positive impact on our economy that comes from a thriving convention and hospitality industry.”

Johnson also hopes the debate will raise the city’s profile.

“I want the entire world to see what a great city Milwaukee really is,” Johnson said.

Johnson asked people to keep in mind the road closures around Fiserv Forum as well as the expected high temperatures.

Starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, closures and no parking zones will be implemented on both sides of the following streets in a perimeter around the arena, according to police:

• North Sixth Street from West McKinley Avenue to West State Street

• West Juneau Avenue from North Sixth Street to North King Drive

• North Fifth Street from West McKinley Avenue to West Juneau Avenue

• North Vel R. Phillips Avenue from West McKinley Avenue to West Juneau Avenue

• North Vel R. Phillips Avenue to North King Drive via West Highland Avenue

— Sophie Carson

Milwaukee Area Technical College will be closed Wednesday

The downtown campus of the Milwaukee Area Technical College will be closed Wednesday because of the Republican debate at Fiserv Forum, the school announced on social media.

MATC's downtown campus, at 700 W. State St., is across the street from Fiserv Forum, where the debate is being held.

Classes held downtown will be online, and all other campuses are open.

The downtown campus reopens Thursday.

— Sophie Carson

Who are the Republican debate candidates tonight in Milwaukee?

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

• Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy

• Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

• U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina

• Former Vice President Mike Pence

• Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

• North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum

• Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson

Why is Donald Trump not attending the Republican debate?

Trump says because he is leading in the polls that he doesn't need to debate and that "the public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had."

A day after the debate, Trump will turn himself into the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia as he faces criminal charges tied to his attempt at overthrowing the 2020 election.

Christie calls Trump "a coward" for skipping the debate.

What time is the GOP presidential debate?

The debate begins at 8 p.m. You can watch it on the Fox News Channel.

Can I go to the Republican debate?

No. Tickets are not available to the general public.

Tuesday's live blog: Conservative groups hold advocacy training at Pfister

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Republican 2023 presidential debate live updates in Milwaukee