Voter frustration with the economy went beyond gas prices, poll shows across household costs
Inflation weighs on households
Rising inflation, gas prices and mortgage rates formed a difficult backdrop for voters. The Voter Poll found that 79% of House voters said inflation had caused their family moderate or severe hardship over the previous year; 21% said it had caused no hardship.
Consumer sentiment also weakened. A University of Michigan survey, conducted monthly for more than seven decades, recorded its second-lowest level ever in October.
Fuel and food costs concern voters
On Election Day, the national average gas price was $4.14 a gallon, up $1.16, or 38%, since the Iran war began, AAA data showed. Diesel averaged $6.28, more than $2.50 higher than a year earlier.
Fifty-nine percent of House voters said they were very concerned about gasoline or diesel prices. The same share expressed frustration with grocery and food prices, according to the Voter Poll.
Healthcare costs add pressure
For people insured through the Affordable Care Act, the average monthly benchmark premium rose from $497 in 2025 to $625 in 2026, according to KFF. The increase followed the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of last year.
Economic concerns shape midterms
Voter frustration ranged from fuel and grocery costs to healthcare and utility bills, according to ABC News Voter Polls, based on surveys conducted on and before Election Day. Economic concerns helped Democrats take control of the House and Senate in the midterms; ABC News projected Democrats would win the House and 54 Senate seats as of Wednesday, with Alaska and Mississippi races still undecided.
Utility bills also featured in the campaign. Some candidates, mostly Democrats, criticized artificial intelligence data centers, pointing to possible pressure on local water systems and higher residential utility bills as demand increased. The article also says three-quarters of voters viewed the economy as not good or poor, while separately specifying that figure was for House voters.
Key points
- Three-quarters of House voters rated the economy as not good or poor, according to the Voter Poll.
- Seventy-nine percent said inflation had caused their families moderate or severe hardship over the previous year.
- Fifty-nine percent were very concerned about fuel prices, and the same share were frustrated with grocery and food prices.
- Economic concerns helped Democrats win the House and 54 Senate seats, according to ABC News projections as of Wednesday.