In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 33‑year‑old restaurant server Mike Gibbons says he will vote for a Democrat this November because the war with Iran has driven gas to nearly $1 per gallon higher than last year. “The price of gas affects the price of everything and my pay hasn’t gone up,” Gibbons told reporters, adding that he will “do blue no matter who” this time.
National poll shows broad skepticism of the war
A July Associated Press‑NORC poll finds two‑thirds of U.S. adults believe the conflict with Iran has not been worth fighting. The sentiment crosses party lines, with a majority of Democrats and independents, and more than one‑third of Republicans sharing the view.
Trump administration’s response
President Trump, who pledged a swift victory, has refused to apologize for higher prices, insisting he did “the right thing” to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This week his administration announced new sanctions aimed at further isolating Tehran.
While Trump’s supporters remain loyal, many Republicans in Congress have begun to voice concern about the war’s economic fallout. Nevertheless, the party largely blocks any effort to limit the president’s war powers or cut funding for the conflict, preferring to portray Democrats as extreme on national security.
Democrats try to turn the issue into a political advantage
Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, campaigning for a Senate seat, released a television ad filmed at a gas station, warning that “the cost of gas is out of control and we’re the ones paying for it.” In western Maryland, Senator Angela Alsobrooks blamed higher prices on the war and urged fellow Democrats to focus on the issue as a sign of Trump’s leadership shortcomings.
Voter stories from across the map
In Bakersfield, California, fast‑food worker Brandon Bane, who describes himself as an independent, says the rising cost of gasoline has made it harder to cover rent and groceries. He plans to vote for Democrat Randy Villegas over incumbent Republican Rep. David Valadao.
Meanwhile, longtime farmer Lucienda Lowe of Raleigh, North Carolina, says her faith in President Trump remains strong. Her family’s orchard has not raised apple prices despite soaring fuel and fertilizer costs, and she urges others to “suck it up, buttercup.”
In Perry, Iowa, 66‑year‑old Republican service manager Larry Cole says the war’s impact on gas prices is “the nature of the beast,” but he will continue to back Republicans, noting that Trump has taken actions other presidents were unwilling to do to keep Iran in check.
Arizona retiree Mark Duffy, 65, acknowledges the war’s length was unexpected but believes the upcoming economic sanctions could shape future outcomes.
Young voters express cynicism
Twenty‑six‑year‑old Evan Mise, leaving a tattoo parlor in Ashland, Virginia, worries about his mother’s retirement and his own future, describing the government as “pretty corrupt through and through.” He remains undecided about which party to support.
Overall, the war’s unpopularity and its ripple effect on everyday costs are creating a volatile backdrop for the 2026 midterm elections. While some voters are moving toward Democratic candidates, a sizable portion of the electorate remains loyal to President Trump, believing his decisive stance on Iran is necessary for national security.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
