A new poll suggests some voters who backed President Donald Trump in the 2024 election believe gas prices would have been lower if former Vice President Kamala Harris had won the presidency instead. The findings came as rising fuel costs and broader economic concerns emerge as key voter concerns ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
A faction of voters believe gas prices would have been lower under Kamala Harris
Among all respondents, 42% said gas prices have risen more than they would have under a Kamala Harris presidency. By: MEGA
According to a Politico poll released on Wednesday, July 22, 36% of voters who supported Trump in the 2024 election said gas prices “have gone up more under Donald Trump than they would have under a Democratic president.” By comparison, 35% said gas prices would have risen by roughly the same amount under a Democratic administration, while only 34% believed they would have increased more if Harris had been elected.
Among all respondents, 42% said gas prices have risen more than they would have under a Harris presidency. In contrast, just 18% believed prices would have climbed higher under a Democratic administration.
Iran war seen as biggest driver of gas prices
A majority of Americans identified the war with Iran as a major factor behind rising gas prices. By: Unsplash
The survey also asked Americans what they believe is responsible for rising fuel costs. In response, 63% identified the war with Iran as a major factor, making it the most frequently cited explanation. Another 40% blamed Trump’s tariffs, while 38% pointed to what the poll described as his “poor handling of the economy.” Twenty-three percent cited supply chain disruptions, and 21% attributed higher gas prices to insufficient domestic oil production.
The conflict has disrupted global energy markets since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies, have contributed to higher crude prices. Although fuel prices eased during a ceasefire, they have begun rising again after the renewed escalation in the conflict.
Fuel prices continue to rise
The national average price for regular gasoline reached $4.060 per gallon on Wednesday, up from $4.019 the previous day. By: Unsplash
According to AAA, the national average price for regular gasoline reached $4.060 per gallon on Wednesday, up from $4.019 the previous day and $3.890 a week earlier. Gas averaged $3.929 one month ago and $3.145 a year ago, representing an increase of about 29% over the past 12 months. California recorded the nation’s highest average price at $5.545 per gallon, while Mississippi had the lowest at $3.622.
GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan warned on X that prices could rise further. “Crude oil prices continue to advance as [Houthis] threaten Saudi oil route through Bab al-Mandab Strait, WTI up >3% to $87, Brent up 3.5% to $94, RBOB up 7c/gal. based on where things stand now, national average could rise to $4.15-$4.25/gal in the next couple weeks,” he wrote.
Economic pressure presents political risk
Higher fuel prices present a political challenge for President Donald Trump. By: MEGA
Higher fuel prices present a political challenge for Trump, who made reducing inflation and lowering energy costs central themes of his 2024 presidential campaign after criticizing former President Joe Biden over post-pandemic price hikes. Notably, Democrats have made opposition to the Iran war and its effect on gasoline prices a key part of their midterm campaign messaging as they seek to regain control of Congress.
On the other hand, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers defended the Trump administration’s approach, saying Trump “remains committed to unleashing American energy dominance, cutting costs and putting more money back in the pockets of hardworking American families.”
“As the U.S. military degrades the terrorist Iranian regime’s ability to attack commercial vessels and disrupt the free flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, oil and gas prices will plummet back to pre-conflict levels,” she added.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai has also repeatedly said that Trump has “always been clear about short-term disruptions as a result of Operation Epic Fury, disruptions that the administration has been diligently working to mitigate.”
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Samyarup Chowdhury is a writer at Knewz
