Milwaukee Republican presidential debate; city could be in running

"The road to the White House runs through Wisconsin" is a phrase voters in the battleground state often hear.

MILWAUKEE - "The road to the White House runs through Wisconsin" is a phrase voters in the battleground state often hear.

Before hosting the 2024 Republican National Convention, where the party will officially nominate its presidential pick, Milwaukee could be in the running to host a Republican presidential debate.

Milwaukee last hosted a presidential debate in 2015. Gerard Randall, the RNC host committee secretary, said it is likely coming again this year.

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"We are also prepping for one of the national debates, presidential debates," Gerard Randall, the RNC host committee secretary, said on AMM1130's The Dan O'Donnell Show.

After Randall's interview on the conservative radio show, O'Donnell clarified. He tweeted that a number of Republican officials called to tell him no decision had been made yet about whether Milwaukee will host a Republican presidential debate.

(Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

FOX6 News left a voicemail for Randall and has not independently confirmed the original report.

Back in 2015, Republican candidates debated in Milwaukee inside the Milwaukee Theater. FOX Business hosted the debate featuring candidates Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Carly Fiorina, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump.

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Organizers said the 2024 Republican National Convention will bring some 45,000 people to Milwaukee, and with them lots of money for the regional economy.

Fiserv Forum is set to host the main event. It's where Republicans will nominate their pick for president. But Friday, party leaders met in California for a different election.

Republican National Committee members reelected Ronna McDaniel as chairwoman Friday. She got 111 votes, Attorney Harmeet Dhillon got 51 and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell got four.

Ronna McDaniel

"Ronna was an integral part in bringing the RNC convention to Milwaukee," said Tom Schreibel, RNC committeeman for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin's three voters backed McDaniel, and one of those voters told FOX6 News the 168 committee members will visit Milwaukee in the coming months.

"To see firsthand what they can experience during the convention, so we’re looking forward to it. It’s a great opportunity to showcase Milwaukee once again," Schreibel said. "To highlight what Milwaukee is. It’s a great place on a Great Lake, and Milwaukee showcases really well."