The stage is set for the first Republican presidential nomination debate, scheduled for Wednesday night at 9 pm ET, and all eyes are on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who will occupy the center stage.

Joining DeSantis and Ramaswamy in this Fox News-hosted showdown in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be former Vice President Mike Pence and former ambassador and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott will stand in the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.

Debate stage

On the wings of the debate stage will be former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.

The RNC had previously stated in an early June release that “qualified candidates will be placed on stage according to polling, with the highest polling candidate in the center.”

National party committee chair Ronna McDaniel, in a statement on Monday night, emphasized, “the RNC is excited to showcase our diverse candidate field and the conservative vision to beat Joe Biden on the debate stage Wednesday night.”

Former President Donald Trump, who currently holds a commanding lead in the 2024 GOP nomination race, announced on Sunday that he would not participate in the debate.

As the candidates prepare to take the stage, the nation watches with anticipation for this critical event in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.

*Reporting by Paul Steinhauser, Politics Reporter, New Hampshire.*