Republicans and the 2026 Midterm Elections
On Friday, radio host Hugh Hewitt discussed on Fox News how Republicans might find themselves in a strong position for the upcoming 2026 midterm elections by focusing their message on affordability and energy costs.
In contrast, former President Donald Trump dismissed the concept of “affordability” as merely a “Democrat scam.” This comes as Republicans seek to counter the Democrats’ strategy for 2025, which emphasizes the current affordability crisis. During a segment on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Hewitt noted that if the election centers around rising prices and the economic record of the Biden administration, Republicans could gain traction.
“If the message stays that ‘affordability decides elections,’ Republicans are likely to benefit come next November, especially since many price increases are tied to energy policies,” Hewitt explained. He mentioned that gas prices in Fort Worth were surprisingly low at $2.55, while prices hovered around $3.50 in the D.C. area and nearly reached $5 in parts of California, averaging $5.50. Despite this, he observed that prices seemed to be declining.
The national average for regular gasoline recently dropped below $3 per gallon for the first time in four years, sitting at $2.99. Analysts attribute this dip to lower demand, reduced winter blend fuel prices, and a decrease in oil prices, which fell nearly to $60 a barrel.
Hewitt emphasized that highlighting the connection between energy costs and expenses for food, transportation, and overall living costs could be a winning strategy for the Republicans. “If we keep highlighting the impact of gas and food prices, which are influenced by energy costs, that’s an issue we can win on next November,” he reflected. “But we need to maintain that energy production.” He also affirmed that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum needed to keep oil production active.
Addressing affordability, former President Trump told reporters that his administration has been effective in reducing prices, even describing a drop in beef prices as “magic.” He suggested they inherited difficult economic conditions but claimed significant improvements were made during their tenure.
After some notable wins for Democrats in the previous November, Chief of Staff James Blair communicated to Politico that Republicans would shift their messaging towards affordability ahead of the midterms. He conveyed that while Trump acknowledges the economic recovery may be gradual, he believes that the essential indicators are improving.
Blair stated, “The president is focused on the developments and recognizes that it will take time for the economy to bounce back. However, he sees that the fundamentals are aligning, and he remains focused on prices and the cost of living.”
