Gussie Farris, 86, isn’t phased by the age of the oldest presidential candidates in American history. As a loyal supporter of President Joe Biden, she has some strong words about Donald Trump. “Because Trump is big and loud, he doesn’t come off as old as maybe Biden does, but he’s way less capable in the brain area,” Farris said.
This sentiment reflects a trend that Biden’s campaign is focusing on: garnering strong support among seniors. Polls show that seniors spend more time watching local and national news, thinking about the 2024 election, and were alive during the aftermath of World War II and the Cold War – periods that Biden has been leveraging in his campaign, casting Trump as a threat to democracy.
National and swing-state polls have indicated that while Biden may face challenges with younger and non-White voters, he’s made significant gains among older voters – a traditionally Republican-leaning demographic. This group holds significant influence in key battleground states and typically has high voter turnout rates.
To further solidify support among seniors, Biden’s campaign has launched a new effort that combines traditional organizing tactics like phone-banking and postcards with events like bingo nights and pickleball. The campaign has garnered endorsements from groups focused on protecting Social Security, Medicare, and pensions, and has deployed surrogates across the country to connect with senior groups.
First lady Jill Biden, in a recent trip to Green Bay, Wisconsin, pushed back on criticisms of her husband’s age, highlighting his health and wisdom. As Trump turns 78 on Friday, just three years younger than Biden, age has become a focal point in the race for the White House. However, the Biden campaign is embracing age in a new way by targeting seniors like Farris to strengthen his coalition.
In Grand Rapids and Kent County, a bellwether in Michigan, Biden won in 2020 after narrowly losing to Trump in 2016. Seniors like Linda Van Werden, a retired real estate agent, have become politically engaged to ensure Michigan remains blue. Biden aims to become the first Democratic presidential candidate in 24 years to win voters 65 and older, a demographic shift that the campaign is leveraging in Michigan and beyond.
While some seniors like Barbara Howard express disappointment in Biden’s policies, others like Judy and Nick Herrick, both 80, are inspired by Biden’s commitment to protecting democracy. They volunteer for Biden’s re-election campaign, canvassing and registering young voters in Grand Rapids.
With millions invested in television ads targeting senior-favorite programs like “Wheel of Fortune” and local news, the Biden campaign is working to appeal to the values and character that seniors hold dear. Farris, reflecting this sentiment, expressed that most seniors couldn’t support someone like Trump, lacking morals and ethics.
As the Biden campaign continues to focus on seniors as a crucial part of their coalition, the outcome of the 2024 election in Michigan and beyond could be heavily influenced by this demographic shift.
