On Wednesday night, candidates for the Republican presidential nomination gathered in Wisconsin for the first primary debate, with one major absence, frontrunner and former President Donald Trump.

David Catalfamo, a strategist and former communications director for former Gov. George Pataki, told Capital Tonight the former president lost a bit because the other candidates had a chance to show their strength and ability to debate.

Catalfamo said his top-tier performers from last night were former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott.

Catalfamo says Haley was able to get the “most compelling” attack on rising star Vivek Ramaswamy, who Catalfomo called a “wild card” in the race.

On the other candidates, Catalfamo said former Vice President Mike Pence’s message seemed “more about a legacy” than his future in the race. Catalfamo added that Pence and former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson seemed “out of place and time” in the race.

The next GOP primary debate is set for Sept. 27 at the Reagan Library in California. It is unclear who will be able to or will attend the next debate.