A new survey from AARP Pennsylvania reveals that the priorities and concerns of women voters age 50 and older will influence the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections. Women 50-plus make up a significant share of the 2022 electorate in Pennsylvania. They account for one-third (32%) of likely voters overall, and more than half (53%) of likely voters 50-plus.
New data from the survey shows women voters 50-plus are heading into the 2022 general election worried about pocketbook issues with gas prices (49%) and food costs (27%) at the top of their inflation concerns. The survey also points out that several of AARP’s core issues – protecting Social Security (90%) and Medicare (83%) – are extremely or very important to these influential voters. Further, 79% say that the country is on the wrong track and a significant majority (87%) indicate that they are “extremely motivated” to vote in the 2022 general election.
“There are two things those running for office need to know about women voters 50-plus: They vote, and they’re influential,” said Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director. “Nearly 37 million women voters over 50 cast a ballot in the 2018 midterms — that’s 30% of all Americans who showed up at the polls. Today, with the prices of groceries, gas and prescription drugs skyrocketing, women voters in Pennsylvania want to see solutions.”
Women 50+ voting preferences in the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.
Among women voters 50-plus, Attorney General Josh Shapiro (D) leads State Senator Doug Mastriano (R), 55% to 41%. John Fetterman (D), the Lieutenant Governor, leads Mehmet Oz (R), 56% to 40% in the open race for U.S. Senate. Both Democratic candidates hold their overall narrow leads (3 percentage points in the Governor’s race, and 6 percentage points in the Senate race) in part due to support from women 50+.
The survey found that the top issues for Pennsylvania women voters over 50 include:
- 94% are more likely to vote for a U.S. Senate candidate who supports protecting Social Security from cuts to workers’ earned benefits;
- 94% are more likely to vote for a U.S. Senate candidate who supports protecting Medicare from cuts and ensure America’s seniors get the healthcare they need;
- 93% are more likely to vote for U.S. Senate candidate who supports allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices;
- 91% are more likely to support a candidate for governor who will provide funding to allow seniors needing daily support to receive care at home rather than having to enter a costly nursing home;
- 87% are more likely to support a candidate for governor who will protect low-income older Pennsylvanians from property tax increases; and
- 70% are more likely to vote for a gubernatorial candidate who supports creating Keystone Saves, so that they have an option to contribute a portion of their paychecks to their retirement. Currently, 2 in 5 Pennsylvania workers do not have access to a retirement savings program through their employer.
AARP polled Women 50+ on their top issue areas.
Earlier in 2022, AARP’s “She’s the Difference” poll conducted by GOP pollsters Kristen Soltis Anderson and Chris Matthews, and Democratic pollsters Celinda Lake and Margie Omero, found similar results. By more than a two-to-one margin, women voters over 50 want a politician who is willing to work together to get things done — even if the result is an occasional compromise that goes against voters’ values (67%) — over a politician who consistently fights for their values but doesn’t often find a solution (30%). This finding remains consistent across party identifications, with 77% of Democratic women and 57% of Republican women preferring a politician who compromises, while 21% of Democratic women and 40% of Republican women prefer a values-oriented politician.
