While it’s an understatement to assert that the presidential election has shifted dramatically since the first debate of the presidential election season – the then-nominee President Biden has since dropped out of the race while his opponent, former President Trump, survived an assassination attempt – that first debate was noteworthy for reasons other than the dramatic chain of events that precipitated from it. For starters, this debate occurred much earlier in the election cycle than is usually customary for a presidential election year, and it was the first time Americans heard their party representatives’ positions on the issues our country faces in 2024: the economy, jobs, foreign policy, and importantly, Social Security.

An important note from the debate that should not have been lost on viewers was how quickly Medicare and Social Security came up. This issue was brought up within the first fifteen minutes of the televised event, and the subject was actually hooked into an answer that didn’t have much to do with the original question. This goes to show how top of mind Medicare and Social Security are for these campaigns. As we know, the occupant of the Oval Office could have an impact on the future of these programs, and it’s critical that America elects the candidate who plans to best protect them.

As the candidates went back and forth about Social Security, it was made clear that each candidate was trying to blame the other for hurting the program using this as a jab and acknowledging the fact that Americans want a president who will protect it. While there were certainly myriad takeaways from this presidential debate, one of the most significant was how clear it was made that both candidates want to be known as the champion for Social Security – which is great news for the millions of Americans who depend on its benefits they worked hard to earn.

According to a recent poll here in Arizona, 78% of voters over 50 report that candidates’ positions on Social Security will help decide their vote in November, followed by Medicare at 74%. And a whopping 86% of Arizona voters aged 50 and up say they are “extremely motivated” to vote in the coming election. These numbers should serve as a signal to any candidate trying to win in Arizona this election year – pledging to protect Social Security and Medicare is a winning strategy. It would help the public if the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, Kamala Harris, would quickly make known her positions on Social Security and Medicare.

It’s not just the presidential candidates who should be cognizant of their stance on Social Security. Senator Kyrsten Sinema has really made a name for herself in Washington, D.C. as one of the very few independents, and as a result, our state’s Senate race is getting a lot of national attention with her not seeking re-election. Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego and Republican Kari Lake will battle it out to take Senator Sinema’s seat this November, and they would each be smart to remember who their most motivated voters are – the 50-plus age group. Staying on the right side of Social Security could be the difference in winning and losing that seat.

The presidential debate along with the Republican National Convention both put Social Security in the spotlight with candidates acknowledging how important this program is on the national stage – literally. White House hopefuls and our state’s Senate candidates would be wise to continue on this path if they want to resonate with Arizona voters come November.

 Paul D. Cummings Jr. is president of Log Cabin Republicans of Phoenix and former chairman of the Volunteer Organizations Committee of the California Republican Party.