New AARP New Hampshire Poll: Older Voters Will Play Key Role in Senate, Governor Races

WASHINGTON – Today, AARP released new polling highlighting the decisive role older voters will play in New Hampshire's upcoming Senate and gubernatorial races, and the top issues that will be deciding their vote – from rising prices for health care and groceries to the future of Social Security and Medicare.

“Older voters are a critical bloc that candidates up and down the ballot should be focused on” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer. “New Hampshire’s 50+ voters are looking for leaders who can tackle the issues affecting their financial security and quality of life. Candidates looking to gain an edge should address the things these voters care about, from prescription drug costs to affordable housing.”   

New Hampshire’s older voters are highly motivated to vote. In the last midterm elections, voters 50 and older made up 65% of the electorate, and AARP’s survey suggests this high level of engagement will continue: 88% of New Hampshire voters age 50+ rated themselves a "10" on a 10-point motivation-to-vote scale, compared with 69% of voters under 50. About two-thirds (65%) of “ticket-splitters” -- voters who don’t vote uniformly for a specific party -- are 50+, underscoring their potential influence. 

In the race for U.S. Senate, Democrat Chris Pappas holds a 51% to 44% lead over Republican John E. Sununu. Pappas’ margin is slimmer among older voters, holding a narrow 1-point (49%-48%) lead over Sununu. 

In the gubernatorial race, Republican Kelly Ayotte leads Democrat Cinde Warmington 52%-45%. Among voters 50+, Ayotte has a 57%-40% edge over Warmington.

“Voters 50 and older decide elections, and candidates must address their priorities," said AARP New Hampshire State Director Christina FitzPatrick. "With affordability a top concern for New Hampshire residents this year, candidates should tell voters how they will protect and strengthen Social Security and ensure that everyone is able to age with dignity and purpose."

AARP’s polling found that affordability is the top issue for voters 50+, followed by threats to democracy and taxes.

Among voters age 50+: 

• 68% say Social Security is or will be a major source of income for their household, and 96% say that they are more likely to support a candidate who will make sure they’ll receive the Social Security they’ve earned through a lifetime of work.
• 89% say they would be more likely to support a candidate who would expand Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices to help lower prescription drug costs.
• 74% say it is important for elected officials in New Hampshire to make sure people have what they need in their communities to be able to age at home.
• 57% are worried about their financial situation, and health care costs are the top price concern. 
   

AARP commissioned the New Hampshire Institute of Politics to conduct the survey of likely New Hampshire voters. The Institute interviewed 1,042 likely voters statewide, including an oversample of voters age 50 and older. The survey was conducted between September 28-29, 2026. The margin of sampling error for the statewide sample is ±3.0%.

This survey is part of AARP's 2026 battleground polling series, which has examined the views of voters age 50 and older in key states across the country, including Maine, North Carolina, Alaska, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Ohio and Georgia. 

View the full survey results at www.aarp.org/nh2026voterpoll and more information on our poll at www.aarp.org/NHpoll. Additional information about AARP’s 2026 battleground polling series is available at www.aarp.org/voterpolls2026.

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About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest-circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit aarp.org, aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPLatino and @AARPadvocates on social media.

Media Contact: Ilse Zuniga, izuniga@aarp.org