Gas up 46% to 55% in key Senate states, outpacing the nation, as voters cast ballots

Gas and grocery prices have risen faster in several of the closest Senate races than they have nationwide. That is according to an NBC News analysis published on Election Day. ¹

Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gas is up 40% since Feb. 28, the day before Trump launched attacks on Iran. It was $2.98 before the war and $4.16 on Monday, according to NBC News' gas price tracker. ¹

Where gas rose the most

In Iowa, the average price is up nearly 55% since late February. Nebraska shows the same figure, and Kansas is up 53%. All three states went for Trump in 2024, but their Senate races are now in play. ¹

Michigan drivers saw gas go from $2.99 in February to $4.52 on Monday, a 51% jump. Ohio is up 48% and Maine is up 46%. ¹

From Channel GOPSherrod Brown on Husted's votes on war and tariffsSherrod Brown · 129 plays · captioned, with the source named

A GasBuddy analyst said refinery problems in the interior of the country can linger. That helps explain why Great Lakes states did not see the relief that came elsewhere in October. ¹

Retired Ohioans feel it. Kathy DiCristofaro of Youngstown said she and her husband are retired and have had to cancel trips. ¹ Another Ohio retiree, 68-year-old Denise Barber, told AFP that on a fixed income it makes things really hard. ²

Groceries, tariffs and paychecks

A WalletHub study found households in several tight-race states spend more of their monthly income on groceries than shoppers elsewhere. Three of the 10 most cost-burdened grocery cities are in Ohio: Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati. ¹

Tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods, add to the squeeze. The Yale Budget Lab estimates they will cost the average household an extra $1,100 this year. ¹

The National Taxpayers Union Foundation ranks Texas second, Michigan third and Georgia fourth among states paying the most for tariffs. ¹

Pay is not keeping up. Wages grew 3.0% in the year through September, while inflation hit 3.7%. That means average hourly earnings, adjusted for inflation, fell about 0.7%. ¹

Housing adds pressure. The average 30-year mortgage rate was 7.27% on Monday. Home prices in Akron, Ohio, are up 22% from last year, according to Redfin. ¹

Why it matters

NBC reports that 53% of Republicans are dissatisfied with the economy, so the frustration reaches beyond Democrats. ¹ AFP reported earlier that Democrat Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio, is arguing that working-class voters did not want the war. ²

That matters because Trump won in 2024 by promising lower prices. Nearly two years into his second term, NBC says his tariffs and the Iran war are driving costs higher. ¹

What happens next: polls close tonight, and any of the competitive Senate races could tip either way, with counting likely to run past Tuesday night. ¹

The Record

1. Feb 28, 2026Average U.S. gas price was $2.98 a gallon the day before Trump launched attacks on Iran. ¹
2. Oct 8, 2026AFP reported gasoline up over 45% since the war began, to $4.37 a gallon per AAA. ²
3. Nov 2, 2026Average U.S. gas price reached $4.16 a gallon, and $4.52 in Michigan. ¹

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<h2>Gas up 46% to 55% in key Senate states, outpacing the nation, as voters cast ballots</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files Kitchen-Table Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/gas-up-46-to-55-in-key-senate-states-outpacing-the-nation-as-voters-cast-ballots">The GOP Files</a> on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.</em></p> <p>Gas and grocery prices have risen faster in several of the closest Senate races than they have nationwide. That is according to an NBC News analysis published on Election Day.</p> <p>Nationally, the average price of a gallon of gas is up 40% since Feb. 28, the day before Trump launched attacks on Iran. It was $2.98 before the war and $4.16 on Monday, according to NBC News&#39; gas price tracker.</p> <h2>Where gas rose the most</h2> <p>In Iowa, the average price is up nearly 55% since late February. Nebraska shows the same figure, and Kansas is up 53%. All three states went for Trump in 2024, but their Senate races are now in play.</p> <p>Michigan drivers saw gas go from $2.99 in February to $4.52 on Monday, a 51% jump. Ohio is up 48% and Maine is up 46%.</p> <p>A GasBuddy analyst said refinery problems in the interior of the country can linger. That helps explain why Great Lakes states did not see the relief that came elsewhere in October.</p> <p>Retired Ohioans feel it. Kathy DiCristofaro of Youngstown said she and her husband are retired and have had to cancel trips. Another Ohio retiree, 68-year-old Denise Barber, told AFP that on a fixed income it makes things really hard.</p> <h2>Groceries, tariffs and paychecks</h2> <p>A WalletHub study found households in several tight-race states spend more of their monthly income on groceries than shoppers elsewhere. Three of the 10 most cost-burdened grocery cities are in Ohio: Cleveland, Toledo and Cincinnati.</p> <p>Tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods, add to the squeeze. The Yale Budget Lab estimates they will cost the average household an extra $1,100 this year.</p> <p>The National Taxpayers Union Foundation ranks Texas second, Michigan third and Georgia fourth among states paying the most for tariffs.</p> <p>Pay is not keeping up. Wages grew 3.0% in the year through September, while inflation hit 3.7%. That means average hourly earnings, adjusted for inflation, fell about 0.7%.</p> <p>Housing adds pressure. The average 30-year mortgage rate was 7.27% on Monday. Home prices in Akron, Ohio, are up 22% from last year, according to Redfin.</p> <h2>Why it matters</h2> <p>NBC reports that 53% of Republicans are dissatisfied with the economy, so the frustration reaches beyond Democrats. AFP reported earlier that Democrat Sherrod Brown, who is challenging Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio, is arguing that working-class voters did not want the war.</p> <p>That matters because Trump won in 2024 by promising lower prices. Nearly two years into his second term, NBC says his tariffs and the Iran war are driving costs higher.</p> <p>What happens next: polls close tonight, and any of the competitive Senate races could tip either way, with counting likely to run past Tuesday night.</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/gas-up-46-to-55-in-key-senate-states-outpacing-the-nation-as-voters-cast-ballots">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/gas-up-46-to-55-in-key-senate-states-outpacing-the-nation-as-voters-cast-ballots.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. NBC News, “In top Senate race states, gas and grocery costs rose faster than the national average” (2026-11-03). nbcnews.com/business/economy/senate-gas-grocery-housing-cost
2. AFP via Asharq Al-Awsat, “Gas, Health Care, Utilities: High Costs Squeeze US Midterm Voters” (2026-10-08). english.aawsat.com/node/5327248

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