Aarp volunteers hold presidential hopefuls’ feet to the fire 

When former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie strode into VFW Post 8641 in Merrimack, New Hampshire, in November, he was greeted by a sea of red fleece jackets in the front row. And emblazoned

on the chest of every scarlet-clad occupant of the seats was a familiar symbol: AARP. At candidate nights throughout the Granite State, AARP volunteers have fanned out, determined to ask

presidential hopefuls courting their votes what they would do about the most important issues facing older Americans today, in particular Social Security and caregiving. This army of

volunteers is part of AARP’s voter engagement initiative, which has already kicked off in states with early primaries and will expand to every state and U.S. territory as the 2024 election

nears. Mary Roberge, 76, is a team captain for New Hampshire volunteers. Since the beginning of 2023, she figures she’s been to more than 35 events. She marshals her team to attend candidate

stops throughout the state, making sure folks arrive early to get front-row seats so candidates are looking right at AARP volunteers. She’s convinced her presence, and that of her fellow

volunteers, makes a difference. “It makes these issues real,” Roberge says. “It’s not just something that you read or have seen on the news. We’re right there. We’re talking about it, and

we’re telling our stories.”  Mary Roberge Tony Loung Roberge and her team always come armed with questions for the candidate. Sometimes they get to ask them, and even when they don’t their

presence makes an impact. The candidate sees them and addresses issues of top importance to older Americans without being prompted. Christie prefaced his remarks in Merrimack about Social

Security with: “This is for our folks sitting in the front row.” AARP’s message was received. Christie dropped out of the race for the presidency on Jan. 10, 2024.  Roberge works at the

Moore Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, which serves people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. She helps make sure the clients have the health insurance benefits they need.

She believes going to candidate events is her way of shining a light on what’s important to all older adults. “When you get to ask a question, you feel like you are getting an answer not

only for yourself but also for all the 50-plus, which is why we are there,” Roberge says. And at some point, she adds, “issues like Social Security, Medicare and prescription drugs affect

everybody.” HOLDING FEET TO THE FIRE When the candidates first began crisscrossing the state, Marc Lacroix says he didn’t hear them talking about Social Security, Medicare or other issues

important to seniors. Now they are. “They see us, so in their opening remarks they talk about Social Security,” says Lacroix, 69, also a team captain.