MADISON, Wis. — Two candidates, who have both had the job of president, will take the debate stage Thursday night for the first time in this election cycle before either of them has been officially nominated by their political parties.

As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump put the finishing touches on their prep, leaders from both parties in Wisconsin have shared what they expect to hear.

Based on what the chairs of the Republican and Democratic parties told reporters at the Wisconsin Capitol on Wednesday, chances are you will hear less about the next four years and more about the past eight.

Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Brian Schimming speaks to reporters inside the rotunda at the Wisconsin Capitol. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)

“Joe Biden has had a 54-year political career of debating,” Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair Brian Schimming told reporters. “The onus is on Joe Biden tomorrow night. Joe Biden has a lot more to lose tomorrow night than he has to gain.”

Schimming, who put the burden on Biden, said Democrats would call it a “win” if their candidate avoids any gaffes. Meanwhile, Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said Trump’s rhetoric would be a reminder to voters.

“Wisconsinites will be reminded how Donald Trump talked big and failed to deliver for Wisconsin, and they will be reminded how President Biden, maybe not the most flashy president but gets the job done,” Wikler said.

Wikler believes Biden has done a better job on the biggest issues impacting those living in the Badger State, a record he hopes the president will rally around.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler holds a press conference on the steps of the Wisconsin Capitol alongside labor union members. (Spectrum News 1/Mandy Hague)

“Donald Trump will probably talk a big game tomorrow night just as he did during his presidency, but we know from bitter experience what happens when he gets in power,” Wikler added. “He doesn’t care about union workers in Wisconsin. He doesn’t care about bringing down the cost of health care. If he did care, he would have done those things while he was in office.”

Schimming admitted it won’t be a typical debate and stated it comes down to voters choosing between two types of presidencies.

“What they had with Donald Trump and what they now know that they have with Joe Biden that they didn’t know four years ago,” Schimming said. “They didn’t know what they were going to get. They were promised all sorts of reach across the aisle, old Scranton Joe can work with everybody, and he’s shown that he can’t.”