One issue, different bills: Energy costs shape key midterm races

(NewsNation) – Higher energy costs have helped make affordability a top issue in the 2026 midterms, but voters aren’t all worried about the same bills.

Diesel prices are squeezing Midwest farmers, while homeowners in the Northeast face soaring heating oil costs. Others in data center hotspots like Texas and Ohio are worried about their electricity bills.

Democrats have tried to tie those issues to President Trump, pointing to the war in Iran and his embrace of AI. As of Wednesday, Decision Desk HQ gave Democrats an 80 percent chance of winning the House and a 58 percent chance of controlling the Senate.

Some Republicans have called for an end to the Iran war, while others have blamed high prices on Ukraine’s war with Russia and Democrats’ energy policies.

To win the Senate, Democrats will have to break through on Republican turf. Of the Cook Political Report’s seven toss-ups, five are in states Trump won by double digits in 2024.

Higher diesel costs hit the heartland

Diesel prices are more than 70 percent higher than a year ago amid the wars in Iran and Ukraine, and farmers across America’s heartland are feeling the pain.

In Iowa, diesel averaged $6.14 a gallon on Wednesday, an increase of $2.50 from a year earlier, according to AAA. Kansas has seen a similar jump.

The surge comes at a particularly bad time for farmers, who rely on diesel to power tractors and combines during harvest season. It’s also become a political problem for Republicans, who are now facing unexpectedly close races in states Trump won handily in 2024.

Republican Ashley Hinson is running neck and neck with Democrat Josh Turek for Iowa’s open Senate seat, while Democrat Adam Hamilton has gained........

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