Over hot coffee at a Long Island diner, Frank Piccola and his friends do not shy away from offering their hot takes on the day’s politics — including the 2024 presidential contest.
Piccola, an ardent backer of Donald Trump, is a father of eight, grandfather of 14, and great-grandfather of six.
“I feel sorry for them if [Joe] Biden gets in because of what’s happening to the country. He talks about the border — the border is wide open,” he said.
What You Need To Know
- In 2020, roughly 52% of voters 65 years and older backed Donald Trump. But polling this cycle suggests the loyalties of older voters may be shifting, with Biden stronger with that bloc than last cycle — even leading in some polls
- Explaining the trends, one political analyst told Spectrum News that older voters are typically "afraid of big changes ... usually that has come from Democrats, not Republicans. But of course, when you have Donald Trump in the mix, he's always a wildcard”
- The Biden campaign is painting Trump as a risk to the future of social security and Medicare, while also organizing events like pickleball tournaments to rally engagement among older voters
- The Trump campaign has argued he would put entitlement programs on a stronger footing by building a better economy
At another diner an hour away, Susan Matenson and her husband “love” Biden’s record and cannot fathom Trump back in the Oval Office.
“Biden has accomplished a lot. He’s bringing down drug prices,” she said.
As older Americans, both Piccola and Matenson are part of a demographic of voters considered the most reliable, which is why candidates covet their support. And in a tight election like this November, their choices at the ballot box could be make or break for two candidates who themselves are seniors.
In the last presidential election, roughly 52% of voters 65 years and older backed Donald Trump.
But recent polling suggests the loyalties of older voters may shift, with Biden stronger with that bloc than the last cycle. Some polls show Biden may even hold a slight edge.
A New York Times-Siena College poll released last month, for example, found Biden leading Trump with voters 65 and older, 48% to 45%.
Political analyst Todd Belt, who leads the political management program at The George Washington University, notes that with months to go before election day, things are volatile and could change.
“One of the things that we know about older voters is they are genuinely afraid of big changes. And usually that has come from Democrats, not Republicans. But of course, when you have Donald Trump in the mix, he’s always a wildcard,” he said explaining recent trends in polling.
The Biden campaign is labeling Trump a risk to the future of social security and Medicare, pointing to his inconsistent statements about the programs, including a suggestion he is open to cuts.
At the same time, they are touting the Biden administration’s work capping out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and insulin.
Looking to build momentum, just this week the campaign launched a new “Seniors for Biden-Harris” initiative, complete with phone banks and some uniquely senior-focused activities, like pickleball tournaments and bingo nights.
Explaining the strategy, former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, who is serving as a surrogate for the Biden campaign, says “you’ve got to go where voters are.”
“You got to talk to people about where they are in life these days and what they depend on. And in the case of seniors, it’s getting out and staying active, but it’s also Medicare, Social Security,” he continued.
Spectrum News reached out to the Trump campaign repeatedly, asking to talk about why they believe they are a better fit for older voters.
They did not respond by deadline, though a campaign spokesperson has previously walked back the possibility of entitlement cuts while arguing Trump would put the programs on a stronger footing by building a better economy.
