Primary moved up: Iowa GOP schedules caucuses for Jan. 15

The Republican primary calendar moves up. The Republican Party of Iowa decided that its presidential caucuses will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024, which coincides with Martin Luther King Day. The decision moves the start of the nomination race forward by at least three weeks from the 2016 and 2020 cycles while maintaining a later date than the 2008 and 2012 caucuses.

The decision followed a vote by the Iowa GOP central committee, which will presumably move the entire calendar forward. The New Hampshire primary will most likely be held on Tuesday, January 23, just eight days later.

Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Iowa GOP, said in a statement that his party remains "committed to keeping Iowa's cherished presidential caucuses the first in the nation." He assured that they hope to "hold historic caucuses in the coming months and defeat Joe Biden in November 2024."

"After our state legislature and governor took the necessary steps earlier this year to preempt Iowa Democrats' plans to derail the Iowa caucuses by holding a de facto primary election instead, we also are proud to say that Iowa will continue to honor our half-century promises to the other carveout states," he added.

In 2020 and 2016, Iowa held its caucuses on the first Monday in January, while in 2012 and 2008, they took place just days after New Year's Day. In chronological order from most recent to earliest, the winners of those respective races were Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee.

Following Iowa and New Hampshire is South Carolina, which will apparently have to wait until mid-February to hold its polls.

Nevada, the fourth state, will almost certainly hold its caucuses sometime in February, but its plans have not yet been finalized. Michigan is a possibility to take the fifth spot on February 27, although, if not, it could be added to Super Tuesday on March 5, where more than a dozen states will choose their favorite Republican to be the presidential nominee in 2024.

This date gives less time for non-Donald Trump Republicans to close the gap in the polls with the former president, who so far enjoys a comfortable lead in all polls.