CLEVELAND (AP) – The head of the Republican National Committee says its first primary debate for the next presidential election will be in Cleveland.

The RNC previously announced plans to have nine primary debates, starting in Ohio in August. Chairman Reince Priebus confirmed the location in an interview with Cleveland television station WKYC on Wednesday.

The city also is slated for other big visits from the Republicans during the candidate selection process. It is hosting the RNC summer meeting this August and the Republicans' presidential nominating convention in July 2016.

The rough schedule for the other Republican debates included California in September, Colorado in October, Nevada in December, Iowa in January, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida in February.