Former President Donald Trump will not be in Alabama on Wednesday while the rest of the Republican field vying for the party’s presidential nomination are expected to be on the debate stage at the University of Alabama, the state’s party chairman confirmed Wednesday.

John Wahl, chairman of the state GOP, said he received confirmation this week that Trump, the frontrunner in the Republican primary contest, has a commitment in Florida on Wednesday.

“We are not expecting a visit to the debate process,” said Wahl. “He won’t be participating in the debate or events around the debate.”

The New York Times, citing two people familiar with Trump’s plans, said the ex-president will attend a fundraiser next week for his super PAC, MAGA Inc., in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Trump has declined attendance at the previous three debates, citing his strong lead in polling. He held a campaign rally in Florida the same day as the third presidential debate took place in Miami.

Wahl said he is hopeful Trump will return to Alabama soon. The former president was last in the state on August 4, when he was in Montgomery speaking at a state GOP dinner. Prior to the event, a majority of the state’s GOP leaders announced they were backing Trump in the 2024 presidential contest.

“The state of Alabama has a great relationship with Donald Trump and we always enjoy a visit from our former president,” Wahl said.

NewsNation is broadcasting the fourth debate at Frank Moody Music Building on the campus of the University of Alabama. It is scheduled to take place from 7-9 p.m.