Soaring diesel prices helped usher in Democratic sweep
USO•Record-high diesel and gasoline prices on Election Day helped push voters toward Democrats in the midterms, while nearly 9 in 10 voters cited the cost of living as a major or crucial factor. Trump’s $8 billion farm aid had not been disbursed before the election.
1. Fuel costs and voting
Record Election Day diesel and gasoline prices helped push Americans toward Democrats in Tuesday’s midterms, exit polls showed. Prices exceeded previous Election Day highs, while nearly 9 in 10 voters said the cost of living was a crucial or major factor in their vote.
2. Farmers face high costs
Kansas Farmers Union President Donn Teske said high diesel and fertilizer costs helped convince farmers to back Democrats. President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion farm aid program last month, but an administration official said the funds would not be disbursed until after the election; farmers said they did not know whether the aid would cover their increased costs.
3. War and fuel prices
Democrats did not offer short-term fixes for fuel costs but criticized Republican support for the Iran war. Trump said the war was partly responsible for the election losses because it raised gasoline prices in the short term, while arguing that the war was necessary to prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons.
