Republicans criticized Democrats over rising gas prices during the 2024 election cycle, but things have shifted in 2026.
In 2024, a striking 87% of advertisements related to gas or gas prices in House and Senate races were from Republicans. However, a recent analysis from Politico shows that in the current cycle, around two-thirds of those ads come from Democrats, largely due to skyrocketing gas prices following the onset of the Iran war.
As of Wednesday, the average cost for regular gasoline was reported at $4.08, according to AAA. Just before President Donald Trump initiated the Iran war on February 28, gas prices were about $2.98.
During Joe Biden’s presidency, gasoline prices surged, averaging between $3.60 and $3.65 per gallon. They peaked in June 2022, surpassing $5 per gallon as inflation hit 9.1% year-over-year, according to Gas Buddy. It’s worth noting, Americans might continue to face high gas prices long after any resolution with Iran is reached.
Affordability is still a primary concern for voters as the November elections approach. Democrats are banking on effective messaging about gas prices, hoping it will resonate as prices stay elevated.
Since President Trump commenced military action, Iranian strikes on tankers transporting crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to increased prices. While levels lingered around $20 a barrel higher than the week prior to the war, they haven’t reached the heights that analysts once feared, possibly due to uncertainty about how the conflict will unfold.
At a rally on Friday, President Trump maintained that the U.S. has a duty to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, adding that he would “never apologize” for the escalating gas prices.
In May, Trump remarked to the Daily Caller that he wasn’t focused on the economic challenges facing Americans.
In Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, Democratic dark-money organizations targeted Republican Rep. Juan Siscomani for voting against the Iran War Powers Resolution, claiming his actions contributed to higher gas prices. Siscomani had previously run ads in 2024 condemning rising costs, and now in 2026, he has accused his Democratic challengers of not tackling crime or the defunding of police.
Ryan Ilya, a Republican candidate in Florida, who won the primary against incumbent U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, has centered his campaign on affordability, emphasizing reductions in gas and healthcare expenses.
Americans for Prosperity Action, a conservative super PAC, has integrated affordability into its advertising strategy. One ad run in Ohio warned that voting for former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown would further escalate costs, while Republican Senator Jon Husted would work to prevent current struggles from becoming a long-term issue.
