MILWAUKEE — The first Republican presidential primary debate will take place on Aug. 23, 2023 in Milwaukee, the Republican National Committee announced Friday. An exact time and location have yet to be announced.

“I am excited to announce the criteria for our first presidential primary debate in Milwaukee on August 23. The RNC is committed to putting on a fair, neutral, and transparent primary process and the qualifying criteria set forth will put our party and eventual nominee in the best position to take back the White House come November 2024," said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a press release.

McDaniels also announced criteria to qualify for the debate. Those who have declared candidacy and hand over qualifying documents to the RNC no later than 48 hours prior to the first scheduled debate will qualify. A second debate will be held on Aug. 24 if necessary, should enough candidates qualify, according to the RNC.

In April, Fox News announced they would be hosting the debate.

Milwaukee is the only city to be chosen for a debate so far. The debate will also coincide with the RNC's summer meeting, which is also being held in Milwaukee. 

So far, nine candidates have officials thrown their hats into the 2024 presidential race on the Republican side: former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former tech and finance executive Vivek Ramaswamy, Republican businessman Perry Johnson of Michigan, former Arkansas' governor Asa Hutchinson, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Dallas-area businessman Ryan Binkley, former conservative media personality Larry Elder and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

At least three others have not yet declared but have set near dates to do so, including former Vice President Mike Pence, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.

Milwaukee is already set to host the RNC from July 15 to 18, 2024. It beat out three other cities for the spot: Nashville, Pittsburgh and Salt Lake City.

In early February, the RNC bid committee announced that Pittsburgh had been removed from consideration. Utah's capital city dropped out in mid-March, leaving Milwaukee and Nashville as the last two contenders. The RNC made it official during their summer meeting held at the JW Marriott Chicago.

Milwaukee also hosted the Democratic National Convention virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Reporter Anthony DaBruzzi contributed to this story.