The Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee held a special meeting by telephone this evening. Radio Iowa’s O.Kay Henderson posted the audio from the conference call for those who want to listen to the whole thing. The important news:

1. The Iowa GOP will hold their 2014 off-year caucuses on Tuesday, January 21, in sync with the Iowa Democratic Party. Republican leaders had preferred a Saturday morning date, which Democrats opposed because it would diminish turnout and conflict with some religious observances. Breaking the tradition of holding both parties’ caucuses simultaneously would have opened the door to Iowans caucusing with both parties. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan welcomed the decision in a written statement I’ve posted after the jump.

2. The Iowa GOP’s 2014 state convention will be held on June 14, as originally planned before party leaders tried to move the date to July. Republican Senate candidates, elected officials, and many party activists had warned that a late convention could give an advantage to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Braley.  

Both of tonight’s decisions are rebukes for state party chair A.J. Spiker, who had faced calls to resign from at least two State Central Committee members and one county party committee. In a stunning bit of revisionist history, Spiker told the Des Moines Register that as far as the state convention scheduling goes, “The earlier the better. I’ve always wanted June, too.” Sorry, no.

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan released this statement on September 23:

“Iowa Democrats thank the Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee for honoring the long held tradition of having both party’s caucuses on the same night.  The caucuses are a time where neighbors of all backgrounds come together to discuss the important issues facing our state and nation.  Tonight’s action by the RPI ensures that Iowa’s caucuses are fair, open and accessible to everyone, and I look forward to working with Chairman Spiker on not only ensuring that the 2014 caucuses are a success, but that the Iowa caucuses remain first in the nation.”

UPDATE: Some Republican activists are still angry. On September 24, the Polk County GOP Central Committee passed a no-confidence vote in Spiker and Iowa GOP co-chair David Fischer.

It was a close vote by the Polk County GOP – 33-29 – on a night with light meeting attendance, organizers told The Des Moines Register. But it seems to reflect growing discontent among Republicans with their own state GOP leaders, who have been accused of failing to work in the best interests of all Republicans statewide.

Tuesday’s no-confidence resolution criticizes the Republican Party of Iowa leaders for trying to “hinder” the eventual GOP U.S. Senate nominee, and for scheduling the 2014 Iowa caucuses on a day of the week that has had historically low turnout – and then for refusing to listen to grassroots Republicans’ concerns.

“The cumulative effect of these state actions has caused a cloud of distrust and anger to impede this party and preclude it from conducting reasonable business,” the resolution states.

This is the second county party in Iowa to call for Spiker’s resignation. The Appanoose County GOP unanimously approved such a resolution last week. Republican activists said movements are underfoot for similar actions in at least two other major counties. […]

The Polk Republicans said that the Iowa GOP leadership has “shown utter and total disregard – bordering on contempt – for its own candidates and activists in their long-held, time-tested and widely accepted procedures and for the opinions and advice of longstanding and trusted Republican elected officials, activists, candidates and leaders.”