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Wonk Week Session Recording

Preparing for 2025 – What Smart Government Affairs Teams Are Doing

Join Quorum CEO Alex Wirth as he sits down with leading heads of office for an discussion on the evolving landscape of government affairs. As we look ahead to 2025, this panel will explore the strategies forward-thinking government affairs teams are employing to stay ahead of the curve. From leveraging data and technology to navigating complex policy environments, learn what sets top-performing teams apart and how they are preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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As we head toward the 2024 election and beyond, organizations across the public affairs and advocacy sectors are thinking about how to prepare for what comes next. Wonk Week’s fireside chat, hosted by Quorum Co-Founder and CEO Alex Wirth, featured Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AARP, in a discussion about strategies for preparing for the next administration and Congress.

Here are the key takeaways from this session, offering insights into what smart government affairs teams are doing to stay ahead of the curve.

Preparing for a New Political Landscape

The 2024 election results could bring significant changes, not only at the federal level but also across state legislatures and governorships. For Sweeney and his team at AARP, scenario planning is crucial. He explained that they are constantly running through different possibilities: “We’re doing a lot of scenario planning… if this happens, then we need to do that.” This level of preparedness ensures that AARP is ready to engage, regardless of which party ends up in power.

Sweeney also emphasized the importance of bipartisan engagement. AARP, as a nonpartisan organization, works with both sides of the aisle to maintain strong relationships. “We take our nonpartisan status very seriously. We make sure that we have good, strong relationships with Democrats and Republicans, so no matter what happens in January, we’re ready to hit the ground running,” he explained.

The Importance of Scenario Planning

Sweeney outlined AARP’s approach to scenario planning, detailing how his team plans for both divided and unified government outcomes. They break down potential election results into nine scenarios across the House, Senate, and White House, but ultimately focus on two key possibilities: divided government or a trifecta for one party. According to Sweeney, the most likely scenario is a divided government, and their planning reflects that. However, they also prepare for a potential trifecta and the resulting policy shifts, particularly in areas like tax reform, which could look very different under a unified government compared to a divided one.

“Divided government feels like a much better bet than a trifecta,” Sweeney said, explaining that their focus is on building strategies for working within a bipartisan framework, especially given the likelihood of a continued divided Congress.

Engaging Candidates Before They Take Office

One of the more innovative tactics that AARP employs is engaging with candidates well before they are elected. “We start right away,” Sweeney shared, explaining that AARP’s state offices meet with federal and state candidates to discuss key issues like Social Security, family caregiving, and retirement savings. Even though AARP does not endorse candidates, the organization provides valuable insights into the issues that matter to older voters, a crucial voting bloc.

Sweeney pointed out that older voters, especially those over 70, make up a larger voting population than those aged 18 to 34 in states like Pennsylvania. This makes their engagement critical. “If a campaign waits until the middle of October to roll out their senior message, they’ve waited too long,” Sweeney added.

Grassroots Advocacy: A Key to Success

Grassroots advocacy is a cornerstone of AARP’s strategy, and Sweeney underscored its importance. He explained that grassroots engagement is not just about quantity, but also quality. AARP leverages its extensive network of state offices and volunteers to connect with lawmakers both in Washington and in their home districts.

For Sweeney, the value of grassroots advocacy lies in demonstrating that “there are real people in America who care about this issue.” By mobilizing voters and showing up at community events, AARP ensures that its concerns are front and center for lawmakers. As Sweeney noted, “Seeing constituents back home is a huge, huge thing.”

Planning for the Lame Duck Session

In addition to preparing for 2025, Sweeney and his team are focused on what can be accomplished during the lame duck session. He pointed out that while major legislative moves are unlikely, there are numerous smaller bipartisan bills that could pass. “There are a lot of smaller bills that aren’t on a lot of radars, but that have bipartisan support. The question is whether someone has enough juice to get them into the final package,” Sweeney said.

AARP is focused on positioning its priority issues—such as tax credits for family caregivers and affordable housing for seniors—to take advantage of any potential openings during this period.

Leveraging AI in Advocacy

Sweeney also touched on how AARP is starting to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations. While AI offers great potential for efficiency, Sweeney advised caution, sharing an example where an AI-generated chart on state tax policies was incorrect. “Treat AI like your most eager but somewhat incompetent coworker,” Sweeney joked, emphasizing the need for human oversight.

Staying Ready for Any Outcome

As we look toward 2025, Sweeney’s insights offer valuable lessons for government affairs teams. From early engagement with candidates to preparing for multiple scenarios and leveraging grassroots advocacy, smart planning is key. Sweeney’s parting advice? “Make sure you’re ready for whatever happens after November.”

For organizations navigating the uncertain political landscape, Quorum’s suite of public affairs tools can help manage stakeholder engagement, track legislation, and drive advocacy strategies​​.