City Council Hopefuls Debate Top Issues for NYC’s Most Powerful Voting Bloc at Four AARP Events

 

Contacts: David Irwin 202 230-4685 dirwin@aarp.org, Erik Kriss 518-447-6723 ekriss@aarp.org   

 

City Council Hopefuls Debate Top Issues for NYC’s Most Powerful Voting Bloc at Four AARP Events  

 

Candidates for Key Open Seats Debate Issues Important to NYC 50+ Voters, Including Retirement, Age Discrimination, Safety, Caregivers & Health Care

 

  NEW YORK, New York – With a new survey showing New York City voters age 50 and above have major concerns about key issues facing older city residents – and with voters 50+ expected to account for more than half the electorate in this fall’s elections - candidates for four key open City Council District seats tackled the issues at AARP-sponsored debates this week in Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan.

 

AARP conducted the events in the 7 ^th, 15 ^th, 27 ^th and 35 ^th City Council Districts with voter attention heightened less than a week before the primary elections Sept. 10 – and following the successful mayoral town hall forum AARP co-sponsored on August 6 (more specific information is available on each of the debates in Brooklyn (35^th District), Bronx (15^th District), Manhattan (7^th District) and Queens (27^th District).

 

A recent AARP survey found big majorities of the city voters surveyed said they’re “extremely” or “very” likely to support candidates who’ll work on issues of concern to older New Yorkers, including cutting health care and health insurance costs, supporting New Yorkers who provide care at home for an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly or disabled, helping New Yorkers to have enough money for a financially secure retirement, ensuring work opportunities for New Yorkers as they age, maintaining safe and independent mobility around town for New Yorkers of all ages and ensuring New Yorkers can afford to stay in their homes.

 

Sizable numbers also expressed concerns about age discrimination at work and said they expect to delay their retirement for financial reasons.

 

And well over half said they think city elected officials should make it their “top” or a “high” priority to work on laws, regulations and policies that support older workers, promoting age friendly living in New York City and strengthening laws and regulations and funding services that support family caregivers.

 

“New Yorkers will get a new mayor next year, but many neighborhoods will also get a new City Council representative who will have an important say in the future of the city,” said Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York. “Research shows AARP members will likely make up half the electorate, and we’re pleased that our City Council debates focused candidates’ attention on issues of importance to older New Yorkers.”

 

AARP conducted the telephone survey of 1,302 registered city voters age 50 and older between May 17 and June 30. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percent.

 

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www.aarp.org .