‘In enemy territory’: first Republican debate descends on Democratic city

First 2024 debate will be held in a racially diverse Democratic stronghold and a battleground that could decide who wins

The Republican party faces an electability test on Wednesday when candidates including election deniers, climate deniers and anti-abortion extremists take the debate stage in a city that rebukes them and a state they cannot afford to lose.

The first presidential primary debate will be held in Milwaukee, a racially diverse Democratic stronghold in Wisconsin, a battleground that could decide who wins the White House in 2024.