Title: AARP Is Officially Nonpartisan but Group Officials’ Money Mostly Goes to Dems
Headings: AARP Is Officially Nonpartisan but Group Officials’ Money Mostly Goes to Dems
Politics
AARP Is Officially Nonpartisan but Group Officials’ Money Mostly Goes to Dems

Content: Act Blue received nearly 2,400 contributions, worth $18 each on average, for a total of $42,889. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign received only 162 individual contributions from AARP members, but they averaged $270, for a total of $43,636. While the AARP PAC’s contributions reflect the partisan preferences of the organization’s employees, its membership is likely much more balanced. An Associated Press survey in 2018 found that 49 percent of voters 65 years of age or older voted Republican, compared with 48 percent for Democrats. Among voters between the ages of 50 and 64, 49 percent voted for Democrats, while 46 percent backed Republicans. Four members of AARP’s 12-member board of directors contributed to political candidates during the period examined by The Epoch Times. Board members aren’t AARP employees. Board member Robert Blancato was most active, making 39 contributions averaging $429. Blancato gave four contributions totaling $1,750 to Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), while his other contributions, a total of $16,750, all went to Democrats. Board member Annette Franqui gave $500 to Florida Democratic congressional contender Matthew Hagman, who lost in the primary to Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.).