History of the Iowa caucuses
Iowa has become a proving ground for presidential candidates.
Jan. 3, 2008
Note: The following has been provided by the First in the Nation Iowa Caucus media guide press release packet.
In 1846, Iowa's political parties adopted a caucus and convention system, but the events were obscure local events that fell in the middle of the national presidential nominating schedule. Now, Iowa finds itself as the first crucial test on the path to the presidential nomination.
The Iowa Democratic Caucus did not receive its First in the Nation status until 1972 when the state's Democratic leaders decided to hold the caucus in January in response to an initiative encouraging greater participation in elections. That same year, George McGovern's campaign wanted to give their candidate a boost before the New Hampshire primary, and Iowa Caucus presented the perfect opportunity. McGovern organized in the state, ended up finishing second to Edmund Muskie, gained the media bump and eventually won the presidential nomination.
In 1976, the virtually unknown Jimmy Carter expanded on McGovern's strategy by campaigning extensively throughout Iowa. This finish helped push Carter to the presidency and solidified Iowa's importance in the nominating process. That year the Republican Party of Iowa also agreed to hold their caucuses on the same night as the Democrats so they could receive the same media attention. By 1980, both parties had changed their procedures to ensure that the presidential preference of the entire state would be available immediately.
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- History of the Iowa caucuses — Iowa has become a proving ground for presidential candidates.
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