President Joe Biden is making significant inroads with senior voters, a demographic that has traditionally leaned Republican. Recent polls suggest Biden could be the first Democrat in over two decades to secure the older vote, a shift that could prove pivotal in a race between two of the oldest candidates in American history.
Biden’s campaign has been actively courting the aged with targeted initiatives and programs. The “Seniors for Biden-Harris” campaign includes bingo nights, pickleball tournaments, and ads on popular daytime TV shows like “The Price is Right.” These efforts aim to capitalize on Biden’s policies that directly benefit older Americans, particularly regarding healthcare and drug costs.
“Older voters strongly support what Biden has done to lower drug costs for seniors on Medicare,” says Biden campaign pollster Geoff Garin. This sentiment is echoed by Nancy LeaMond of AARP, who notes that seniors are hopeful about upcoming benefits from the administration’s negotiations with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices. Starting in 2024, these negotiations are expected to result in substantial savings for millions of Medicare recipients.
The recent New York Times/Siena poll shows Biden leading Trump by 9 points among likely voters aged 65 and older. Similarly, a Quinnipiac University poll from last month indicates a 12-point lead for Biden in this age group. Historically, Republicans have secured the senior vote, with exceptions only in the elections of 1992, 1996, and 2000.
While Biden’s strength among seniors provides a crucial boost, his campaign still faces challenges with younger voters. Polls indicate that his support among younger demographics has waned since 2020.
In the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where seniors constitute a significant portion of the electorate, Biden’s gains could be particularly influential. The administration’s focus on healthcare and economic stability for older Americans may ultimately be a deciding factor in these critical swing states.
