The recent surge in gas prices has experts saying the issue could drive the results of November's midterm elections — signaling trouble for Republicans as President Donald Trump admits relief won't likely come before then. The average national cost of a gallon of regular unleaded topped $4.31 Monday, up 36 percent from more than $3.17 a year ago, according to AAA. Diesel — which powers delivery trucks, affecting the cost of groceries and other consumer goods — hit a new record high of $6.23 a gallon, up nearly 69 percent.
The situation leaves GOP lawmakers facing a rocky road as they map out their path to victory against Democrats eager to seize control of the House and Senate. And although many economic experts have long considered higher gas prices a brief, one-time inflationary shock, Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, said Trump's ongoing war against Iran means “this is not one and done.” “It’s unclear when tensions in the Middle East are going to settle down,” Bostjancic told The . Nearly 40 percent said they were considering crossing party lines, including 49 percent of self-identified MAGA Republicans and 57 percent of non-MAGA Republicans, according to Politico.
The latest YouGov poll for The Economist magazine, conducted September 4-8, also found that 98 percent of respondents said gas prices had increased over the past year, with 73 percent saying they'd “gone up a lot.” Trump — who's repeatedly urged voters to “pretend” he's on their November ballots — scored a dismal disapproval rating of 61 percent among those surveyed, compared to 37 percent who approved of his job performance. Republican Senator Jim Justice of West Virginia, who isn't up for reelection, told MS Now last month that “if you’re not concerned and sympathetic about gas prices for people, then really and truly, we’re not thinking very right, because we got a lot of people that are really hurting.” Justice, who isn't up for reelection, also said any Republican candidates who weren't worried about gas prices were “living in a cave.” “The political blowback will be substantial,” he warned. An unidentified House Republican who represents a swing district also expressed frustration over rising gas prices, telling MS Now: “I wish the administration had a plan.” “Obviously, the fuel prices are having a devastating impact on people across the district and across the country,” the lawmaker added.
Last week, when salvos between the U.S. and Iran pushed the price of a barrel of Brent crude over $100 for the first time since July, Trump said oil costs would likely remain high through the midterms , the AP reported. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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