Ending weeks of controversy, the Iowa Caucus has been set at Jan. 24 by both the Republican and Democratic parties.

The two parties announced late last week they would decide on an earlier date after primaries in New Hampshire and Delaware were moved up.

The controversy began Sept. 18, when the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Iowa decided on a Jan. 31 caucus date.

“We had the blessing from the people in New Hampshire that they would set theirs on Feb. 8,” said Ann Dougherty, communications director for the Republican Party of Iowa.

New Hampshire announced a new primary date of Feb. 1 due to a proposed move by Delaware to Feb. 8, which would have put the primaries on the same day. New Hampshire law states the primary must be seven days before any other state primary.

State law says Iowa’s caucuses must be eight days before any other state, which forced the Republican party to reconsider the Jan. 31 caucus date.

Last Thursday the party announced they would accept the Jan. 24 date.

“We are going to do what we can to hang on to the first in the nation caucus,” Dougherty said.

The Iowa Democratic Party followed with an announcement on Friday, after receiving unanimous approval from the Democratic National Committee, saying it also would set the caucus for Jan 24.

“Given the situation we were put in, this is the best possible scenario,” said Shannon Tesdahl, communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party.

Tesdahl said being first in the nation is beneficial for both the state and the candidates.

“[The candidates] have eight days to regroup before they head to New Hampshire,” Tesdahl said.

Dougherty agreed Iowa’s first in the nation status is important for many reasons.

“There is a lot that follows the Iowa Caucus,” she said. “It’s definitely good for us because it makes us a unique political state.”

Most of the presidential candidates have offices in the state where they employ staff, Dougherty. The candidates also visit the state often while campaigning.

“Iowa has a great economic impact from the caucuses,” she said.