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Election Closeup 2026: Candidates in 12 Key Races Address the Issues
Find out where they stand on Social Security, Medicare, economic security, caregiving and other topics important to older Americans.
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As voters prepare to choose new political leaders in the Nov. 3 general election, AARP talked to Democratic and Republican candidates in a dozen high-profile contests for governor, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
The AARP Bulletin asked them questions during the summer about issues that are important to older voters, such as supporting Social Security and Medicare, helping family caregivers, fighting fraud, boosting economic security and aging with dignity.
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Political campaigns understand the importance of older voters in elections. AARP research shows that voters 50 and older made up more than half the electorate in 2024. In fact, in every national election since 2002 — when citizen voting data by age became available — people 65 and older have voted at higher rates than their younger counterparts.
Read the Candidate Interviews
“Voters 50-plus will have an outsized influence in the upcoming election, and candidates can appeal to these voters by focusing on the issues driving them to the polls — rising prices, affordability and Social Security,” says Tony Taylor, AARP’s national campaign operations director. AARP interviewed or submitted questions to candidates in governor’s races in California, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; U.S. Senate races in Maine, North Carolina and Texas; and in Washington state’s third congressional district. AARP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization and does not endorse candidates or make political donations.
Those running for governor and congressional offices offered sometimes different approaches to issues but also agreed on some things. For example, there are common concerns about retirement security — including stabilizing Social Security — health care affordability, family caregiving and fraud prevention.
Social Security
On the topic of protecting the solvency of the Social Security trust funds, some responses called for removing the income cap for higher earners for Social Security taxes. Others focused on eliminating waste and fraud in the program and preventing Congress from using the trust fund for unrelated spending. The Board of Trustees that oversees the trust funds projected in June that the funds would be depleted in 2034 — unless Congress passes legislation to support the system’s finances. Candidates elected to the U.S. Senate in November will be voting on how to solve the problem.
Retirement Savings
In responses to questions about retirement security, candidates discussed ways to help workers save money, particularly those without access to employer-sponsored plans. Proposals ranged from creating automatic individual retirement account programs to promoting tax relief, pension protections and new savings initiatives. Several candidates said that helping workers save earlier in their careers could reduce financial pressures later in life.
Health Care
On health care and long-term care, candidates said that government must help older adults remain in their homes and communities as they age. Their ideas included expanding home- and community-based services, increasing access to telehealth, supporting family caregivers socially and financially, expanding transportation options and investing in workers who provide long-term care. Many also said their state needs to make it easier for older adults to navigate and access services the state already provides for them.
Prescription Drugs
On prescription drug costs and Medicare stability, some candidates emphasized protecting programs, expanding benefits and increasing government efforts to lower drug prices. Others focused more on reducing inefficiencies, increasing transparency in the health care system and eliminating fraud, waste and abuse. Despite those differences, candidates from both parties said older Americans should not be forced to choose between medications and other daily necessities.
Caregiving
Family caregiving was another area where candidates identified growing needs, with several sharing personal stories about their own family caring for a loved one. They proposed tax credits and financial assistance or workplace flexibility to help people caring for aging parents and relatives. Several pointed to workforce shortages in home care and long-term care settings and called for measures to recruit and retain more caregivers.
Fraud Prevention
There was common ground in responses to fighting fraud, particularly when criminals target older adults. According to AARP, older consumers lose tens of billions of dollars annually from a range of scams. Candidate proposals included stronger law enforcement efforts, harsher penalties for scammers, better public education campaigns to help people identify scams and closer coordination among government agencies, financial institutions and technology companies.
As a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, AARP does not endorse candidates or make political donations.
Join Our Fight to Make Sure Your Vote Counts
AARP is a nonpartisan organization that never supports or opposes candidates for office. We believe the right to vote is fundamental, and we advocate for policies ensuring that Americans 50 and older can exercise that right without unnecessary barriers. Here’s what you can do to help:
- Learn more about voting in your state this year.
- Pledge to vote for candidates in 2026 who will protect and strengthen Social Security and support family caregivers.
- Sign up to become an AARP activist for the latest news and alerts on issues you care about.
- AARP is your fierce defender on the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Become a member or renew your membership today.
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