Iran conflict’s economic impact could sway U.S. midterm races
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Rising gas prices and public opposition to the ongoing war with Iran are influencing voter sentiment ahead of the November midterm elections, posing challenges for Republican incumbents in several competitive districts.
Voters in several swing districts say the six-month war with Iran and the resulting rise in gasoline prices are shaping their choices for the November midterms. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 33-year-old restaurant server Mike Gibbons said he will vote for a Democrat because higher fuel costs have outpaced his wages, noting that gas now costs about a dollar more per gallon than a year ago.
A July Associated Press-NORC poll found roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults believe the war has not been worth fighting, including a majority of Democrats and independents and more than one-third of Republicans. The conflict, which President Trump initially described as a short-term operation, has persisted for over six months, prompting criticism that the administration did not adequately prepare the public or build international support.
Trump has defended the campaign, stating he will not apologize for price increases and asserting that the action was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. His administration recently announced additional sanctions aimed at further isolating Tehran.
In Congress, Republicans have shifted from early praise of Trump’s moves to expressing concern about the war’s domestic toll, yet they have largely resisted efforts to limit the president’s war powers or cut funding for the conflict, instead portraying Democrats as extreme on national-security issues.
Democratic candidates are using the issue to challenge Republican incumbents. Senate candidate Sherrod Brown aired a gas-station ad in Ohio linking high fuel prices to the war, while Senator Angela Alsobrooks warned that the country is heading in the wrong direction if the conflict continues.
Interviews with voters in competitive races illustrate the political stakes. In Bakersfield, California, fast-food worker Brandon Bane said he plans to support Democratic challenger Randy Villegas because high gas prices are making it harder to afford rent and groceries. Similarly, a retiree in the same city expressed shock at a recent $128 fill-up for an SUV.
Nonetheless, some voters remain loyal to Republicans. In Raleigh, North Carolina, a local orchard owner said her confidence in Trump remains strong despite rising fuel and fertilizer costs. In Iowa, a service manager expressed support for Republican candidates, citing Trump’s decisive actions against Iran.
Other respondents indicated broader disillusionment with both parties. A 26-year-old in Ashland, Virginia, said he feels the government is corrupt and is uncertain about which party to support in the upcoming election.