WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — A new poll from AARP Wisconsin finds Republican candidates in the state races for governor and senate ahead of their Democratic rivals.
The poll shows Republican Tim Michels with a three-point lead over Democratic incumbent Tony Evers.
And it shows Republican Senator Ron Johnson with a five-point lead over Mandela Barnes.
AARP says the gap is partly because more voters older than 50 support the Republican candidates. Bob Ward is a partner for the firm that conducted the poll. “In both races, the 50+ electorate, which is going to be the majority of voters this fall, probably upwards of 60 percent, both Republican candidates have an even greater edge.”
Because of these findings, Ward says it would behoove candidates to focus on issues important to voters older than 50.
Right now, that’s inflation and abortion. But seniors in both political parties also consistently list Social Security, Medicare, the cost of prescription drugs, and long-term care for seniors as critically important issues. “So if you’re a candidate looking to connect with voters, these issues are made to connect with voters 50+ regardless of their political stripes.”
The AARP poll also found that 90% of voters older than 50 say they are extremely motivated to turn out for the November election. Three-quarters of respondents said they think the country is headed in the wrong direction.
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