Get an inside look at Arizona Republican Presidential Debate

MESA, AZ - The press room outside the Mesa Arts Center is slowly filling up with journalists ahead of the Arizona Republican Presidential Debate and ABC15 got a sneak peek of the area where the event will be held.

After arriving hours before the event, we got a behind-the-scenes look of the area where Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Ron Paul will meet. See photos.

Dozens of police officers and security guards along with police canines, and metal detectors lead up to the building.

Drivers in Mesa have several road restrictions to look out for due to the debate.

After entering the center, we walked down a hallway toward the main auditorium where workers were putting the final touches on a brightly-lit stage.

The backdrop, seats, and even the floor of the stage are covered in red, white, and blue.

The candidates will be sitting at a table this year, instead of standing like in other debates.

Each chair inside the facility is labeled with names including prominent Arizona figures such as Karl Eller and Congressman Ben Quayle.

Several seats are reserved for Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.

Much detail has been put into this event. When asked how much money CNN paid to put on the debate, they said they would not answer that question.

CNN explained they wanted to hold the Arizona debate in a community that would be excited about the event. This is why they picked Mesa.