Iowa GOP schedules Jan. 15 for leadoff presidential caucuses. It’s on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

The Iowa GOP has set January 15 as the date for the leadoff presidential caucuses, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This decision puts the first votes of the 2024 election just over six months away, as the Republican Party aims to regain control of the White House.

Candidates have been campaigning in Iowa since last winter, but the specific date for the caucuses, which traditionally mark the beginning of the Republican nomination process, had been uncertain. The change stems from the Democratic National Committee’s election calendar, which no longer includes Iowa as its first contest.

The Iowa Republican Party’s state central committee unanimously voted for the third Monday in January, which is several weeks earlier than the previous three caucuses. However, it is not as early as 2008 when the caucuses took place just three days into the new year.

In other news, Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin has confirmed that he will not be running for an open US Senate seat, and Iowa Republicans plan to pursue a 6-week abortion ban during an upcoming special session starting on Tuesday. Additionally, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Biden’s reelection campaign, signaling Democratic unity. During an event in Iowa, former President Trump criticized Republican rival DeSantis, claiming that he “despises” the state’s ethanol industry.

The decision to schedule the caucuses on January 15 could have implications for both parties. Iowa Democrats were waiting for the GOP to set a date, as they need to adjust their primary order according to new DNC rules. Democrats have proposed holding a caucus on the same day as the Republicans, allowing participants to vote for the president via mail-in ballots. However, Iowa Democrats have indicated that they may not immediately release the results.

This strategy would allow the state party to maintain the first-in-the-nation caucus status without violating the new election-year calendar endorsed by President Joe Biden and approved by the DNC. According to this calendar, South Carolina is set to replace Iowa in the leadoff position and initiate primary voting on February 3.

Unlike primary elections, caucuses are organized, funded, and executed by the parties themselves rather than state election officials. The Iowa GOP’s announcement also allows New Hampshire, which has not yet determined a primary election date, to preserve its first-in-the-nation status. This status is protected by state law, which requires the New Hampshire primary to take place at least seven days before any other primary.

Recently, South Carolina Republicans scheduled February 24 as the date for the traditional first Southern primary, ensuring that Nevada has ample time to plan its Republican caucuses without overshadowing New Hampshire.

“We are dedicated to maintaining Iowa’s cherished first-in-the-nation caucuses and eagerly anticipate conducting a historic caucus in the upcoming months, leading to Joe Biden’s defeat in November 2024,” stated Jeff Kaufmann, Chairman of the Iowa Republican Party.

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More about presidential caucuses

• Iowa GOP announces date for presidential caucuses
• Democratic National Committee drops Iowa as first contest
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• Background on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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• Discussion on new DNC rules and primary order
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