MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee is expected to get a large boost in visitors during the first Republican presidential debate.

The Republican National Committee is expecting 7,000-10,000 people at its first presidential debate on Aug. 23, which is being held at Fiserv Forum, as it does a practice run for the 2024 Republican National Convention.

RNC event organizer Anne Hathaway told WisPolitics that Republicans hope to show off the city and GOP support during debate week. The committee’s 168 voting members will be in attendance for the debate.

The RNC noted that while former President Donald Trump has met the requirements to appear on stage, it is still unclear if he will based on recent public comments. 

Hathaway said her team is ready if he does show.

“We’re focused on the fact that we think that they’re all going to come because the debate’s going to be a great opportunity to talk to our Republican primary voters,” she said. “So obviously, it’ll be a strategic campaign decision for them, but we’re planning on him being here and taking one day at a time.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum have qualified so far.

Candidates must meet various requirements to get on the debate stage, including reaching 40,000 unique donors and signing a pledge to support the eventual party nominee.

Hathaway said the debate is a good opportunity to prepare for the 2024 convention.

“It’s not almost, it definitely is a practice run,” she said. “It’s really, truly a dry run.”

She said the coordination required for the debate will help organizers figure out how to make sure communications go smoothly before the convention. The 2024 RNC will be held July 15-18.