Kamala Harris Courts Senior Voters with Social Security Anniversary Events

From swing dancing to ice cream socials, Kamala Harris' campaign celebrates the 89th anniversary of Social Security this week with events targeting older Americans, who generally lean Republican. Events are scheduled in key states including Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina. A virtual celebration will feature performances by artists such as Cathy Richardson of Jefferson Starship, Jay Siegel of The Tokens, and Peggy March.

Senior voters, who participate at higher rates than any other demographic, account for nearly 10 million voters in battleground states and 17% of the U.S. population. In previous elections, seniors supported Republican Donald Trump by notable margins. Harris, now the Democratic Party's official candidate, leads Trump by 4 percentage points in polls of senior voters in key states.

The campaign also underscores Trump's age, paralleling concerns raised about Biden, 81, who stepped aside. Former Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean remarked that Trump, now 78, has cognitive issues, flipping the narrative on age. Trump's recent proposal to abolish taxes on Social Security benefits is critiqued for its potential to increase the budget deficit.

(With inputs from agencies.)