Iowa defies DNC in setting Jan. 15, 2024, caucus date for presidential contest

The Iowa Democratic Party voted to hold its presidential caucuses on Jan. 15, 2024, the same day as the Republican presidential caucuses.

The decision to hold the caucuses on the same day as the GOP, which has decided to keep the Hawkeye State first in its presidential deciding process, comes months after the national Democratic Party voted for South Carolina to be the first presidential primary contest. Iowa Democrats are touting the caucus being held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day rather than before the South Carolina primary.

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“Iowa Democrats will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by renewing our commitment to protecting our freedoms so that we may ensure future generations continue to have a voice,” Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Rita Hart said in a statement, per the Des Moines Register.

The national Democratic Party voted to make South Carolina the first contest in its presidential nomination process in February, but the Iowa Democrats’ approved caucus date is weeks ahead of South Carolina’s Feb. 3, 2024, Democratic presidential primary.

The decision to hold its caucuses ahead of the South Carolina primary comes as the Iowa Democrats feel they are at a “low point” following several bad years for the party in the Hawkeye State. Democrats currently are shut out of most statewide elected positions, while the state’s entire congressional delegation, two senators and four representatives, are Republicans.

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The Iowa Republican Party said in July, when it settled on the Jan. 15, 2024, caucus date, that it remained “committed to maintaining Iowa’s cherished First-in-the-Nation Caucuses.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) commended Iowa Democrats for choosing the same date as the GOP for its presidential caucuses.

“Iowa Democrats set same date as Iowa GOP for presidential caucuses JAN15 Iowa Dems standing ground is important step We want Iowa 2be first in nation for both parties in 2028, “Grassley said on X, formerly known as Twitter.