Rising Gasoline Prices and Political Impact Ahead of Midterms

A recent Fox News poll indicates that 61 percent of voters consider gasoline prices a major problem. Currently, Americans face an average cost of over $4.40 per gallon for regular gasoline. According to AAA data, Thursday’s national average price stood at $4.4386, showing a gradual increase from $4.3672 the previous day, $4.2770 the past week, and $4.0636 the prior month.

The escalating prices highlight ongoing affordability issues Americans are grappling with before the upcoming November elections. President Donald Trump has commented on the situation, expressing confidence that prices will decline after the midterms. In North Carolina, he addressed the problem alongside the ongoing conflict with Iran, stating, “It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done.”

Voters are clearly feeling the financial strain. The poll shows 61 percent see gas prices as a major concern, up from 48 percent two years ago. Farmers have also expressed discontent with diesel prices hitting $6.31 per gallon on Wednesday. In California, some areas approach $10 per gallon, causing difficulties for stations with three-digit displays. Newsweek contacted the White House for comment.

The Poll’s Findings

When asked about the Trump Administration’s impact on the economy, 63 percent of voters stated it had worsened. Among independents, 73 percent expressed similar views. In contrast, 26 percent of Republicans and 95 percent of Democrats thought the economy deteriorated under Trump. Fifty-five percent believed Democrats would better handle inflation and prices, compared to 40 percent supporting Republicans.

Grocery and healthcare costs also weigh heavily on Americans, with 62 percent and 52 percent respectively identifying these as major problems. Housing costs similarly concerned 54 percent of respondents. The poll, conducted September 11-14, 2026, sampled 1,211 voters with a margin of error of 3 percent.

Craig Agranoff, a political professor at Florida Atlantic University, remarked, “Gas above $4.40 with 61% of voters calling it a major problem is a real warning for Republicans.” He noted that visible relief at the pump and clear communication on oil prices are essential. Messaging alone, he believes, won’t solve the issue if prices remain high.

Trump, Iran, and the Midterms

Midterm elections are often seen as an indicator of the current political climate, with the president’s party historically losing seats. Republicans currently maintain a narrow majority in Congress. President Trump has committed to campaigning for 35 key seats leading up to the election.

The campaign cycle focuses heavily on affordability concerns as gasoline prices continue to rise. Trump addressed these concerns on Truth Social by attributing price increases to the Biden Administration. He also mentioned that oil prices are predicted to decrease after the military conflict with Iran concludes.

The highest recorded average price of regular gas was $5.0165 on June 14, 2022, when Joe Biden was president. Newsweek produced this story using Martyn, their AI assistant.