Eight candidates will vie to emerge as the top alternative to the former president in their first onstage showdown Wednesday night in Milwaukee . The debate is set to start at p.m. Eastern time with hosts Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum moderating . Can DeSantis withstand the bright lights with Trump skipping the first Republican presidential primary debate? Can the former vice president withstands the spotlight? Can Marco Rubio or Nikki Haley get their breakout moments? Can Mike Pence get the better of his rivals on the debate stage? Can Nikki Haley or Marco Rubio get their breakthrough moments? Could Marco Rubio be the only candidate on the stage who has participated in the history of presidential debates before and has a better question mark? The debate will be the first of its kind in the Republican presidential presidential primary debates before the New Hampshire primary on September 15. It is hosted by the Fox News Channel and will take place at 7pm ET on September 14. It will be held at 7.30pm ET (7pm ET) on September 13. ET (11pm ET). It is the first time the candidates have held a debate in Wisconsin since 1999. The Republican presidential candidate has ever hosted a debate. The debate has been held in Wisconsin. It has also been hosted in New Hampshire. It was held in New Jersey. It’s been held at 9pm ET September 14th September. The first of September 14, September 13, September 15, September 11, September 6, September 10, October 13, October 11, October 15, October 10, 10, 11, 11.05, 10.05.05-11.05/10.09/11.07/09/09.07.09-09/05.