Republicans are pointing to falling gas prices as proof they can ease voters’ pocketbook pain heading into next year’s midterm elections.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign arm, highlighted GasBuddy data on Monday showing the average price of gasoline has dropped for three straight weeks, hitting its lowest level since March 2021.
The NRCC noted that prices are now below $3 a gallon in 38 states, and under $2 in five.
“President Trump and Republicans are delivering on their promise to lower costs after years of reckless Democrat policies, and the best is yet to come,” said NRCC Spokesman Mike Marinella.
Mr. Trump and Republicans continue to wrestle with voter frustration over rising costs. Meanwhile, Democrats are feeling re-energized after a disappointing 2024 election.
They say the off-year elections – from Virginia to Georgia and Florida – have shown that voters are unhappy with the Trump-led Republicans, and that the Democratic message of affordability is resonating. They also believe the results do not bode well for the House GOP’s chances of defending their slim majority.
Trying to reset the narrative, Mr. Trump traveled to Pennsylvania last week to tout what he sees as economic progress.
He said there is stronger job growth, rising wages, and increased energy production, while promoting the tax cuts in the “One Big Beautiful” bill he signed earlier this year.
“Together, we’re repairing four years of disaster by the radical left Democrats in Congress, and by the worst president in the history of our country,” Mr. Trump said. “After just ten months, our border is secure, our spirit is restored, inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down, our nation is strong, America is respected again, and the United States is back!”
Democrats challenged Mr. Trump’s claims about inflation, saying the economic data paints a different story. They say consumers are still suffering sticker shock, and see through the Republican spin. They also blame Mr. Trump’s tariffs for making things worse.
At the party’s winter meeting in California, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin accused Mr. Trump of delivering “empty promises,” pointing to soaring grocery costs.
He said the president’s tax cuts favored the wealthy while leaving middle-class families struggling to afford health care.
“Know this, Donald Trump – your days in power are numbered,” Mr. Martin said over the weekend. “By every measure, every single measure, Trump has failed the American people.”
He added, “He’s a con man, doing a con job.”
