Republican challenger Tim Sheehy is leading Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester by 6 points, 51 percent support to 45 percent, among likely voters in Montana, according to a new poll commissioned by AARP.
The survey of 1,064 voters in the Republican-leaning state shows that Sheehy is building a solid lead, thanks in part to strong support among voters older than 50.
The poll also shows former President Trump leading Vice President Harris with 56 percent support to 41 percent and Trump with a 23-point advantage among voters 50 and older.
The AARP poll reported that immigration and rising prices are top issues for Montana voters.
Voters older than 50 in Montana say the future of Social Security, Medicare and the costs of utilities and prescription drugs are among their top concerns.
AARP commissioned the bipartisan polling team of Fabrizio Ward (R) and David Binder Research (D) to conduct the survey Aug. 25-29. It included a sample of 464 voters 50 and older.
AARP noted in a press release that older voters accounted for 56 percent of all Montana voters in the 2020 presidential election and 65 percent of the state’s voters in the 2022 midterm.
The group found that 92 percent of voters 50 and older say they are “extremely motivated” to participate in November’s election, compared to 77 percent of voters between the ages of 18 and 49 who say they are also highly motivated.
“Voters over age 50 are the biggest and most enthusiastic voting bloc this election, and their votes will make a difference in the U.S. Senate race,” said Tim Summers, the state director of AARP Montana.
“The candidate who wants to win in November should focus on the issues older voters care about most, from protecting Social Security and Medicare to supporting family caregivers,” he said.