Iowa has not had a Democratic governor or U.S. senator in more than a decade. This year, with both incumbents retiring, both races are competitive, PBS NewsHour reported Friday 1. Record-high diesel prices are a big reason, especially on the farm 1.
Over the last eight months, farmers have watched diesel fuel prices double, PBS reported. The report ties the jump to the ongoing war in Iran 1. Fertilizer prices spiked too 1.
What it costs a farmer
Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, said he is spending an extra $1,000 a day to harvest and haul his crop. That is double his costs in 2025 1. The fertilizer for this year's corn crop now costs 75 percent more than a year ago 1.
Lehman blames the increases on President Trump's war in Iran 1. The White House announced an $8 billion bailout this week for farmers hit by high diesel costs 1.
From Channel GOPTurek lists opponent's votes on healthcare, tariffs, warJosh Turek · 6 plays · captioned, with the source named
The farmers union has also broken with tradition. It endorsed every Democrat running for Congress in Iowa, which the group's spokesperson called unusual for them 1.
The candidates respond
Diesel prices led off a debate between Iowa's U.S. Senate candidates, PBS reported 1. Both parties are now talking about fuel costs. In September, Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson each released plans 2.
I'm hearing farmers say that this is just one gut punch after another.
Hinson's plan includes pausing the 18-cent federal gas tax and temporarily ending U.S. diesel exports. Those are also in Turek's plan 2. She would add a federal diesel relief fund for farmers, nationwide sales of E-15 fuel (gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol), and a restored $1-a-gallon tax credit for biodiesel production 2.
Iowans are being squeezed and shouldn't have to foot the bill at the pump or the checkout line for the war in Iran.
A debate clip aired by PBS includes the claim that Hinson has voted in favor of the Iran war seven times. The clip does not name who said it, and this brief has not independently confirmed the vote count 1.
Beyond Iowa
The pressure reaches other farm states. In Kansas, the Senate race is a toss-up. Republican Sen. Roger Marshall faces Pastor Adam Hamilton, a Democrat who would be the state's first Democratic senator in nearly a century if he wins 1.
Not every farmer is turning. Kansas farmer Ron Suppes said the war has hurt his farm, but he supports it and will vote for Marshall 1.
Farming makes up only 3 percent of Iowa's economy, but it sets the state's political and emotional tone 1. Iowa's economic growth has trailed its six neighboring states and the nation for a decade 1.
The cost is not limited to farms. Brown University estimates the average U.S. household has paid an extra $860 at the pump since the war began in February 2. Its estimate of the total burden on consumers is more than $112 billion over seven months 2.
That matters because the Republicans' pitch to rural voters rests on pocketbook trust. Voters who backed Trump's policies may now be weighing a war that is driving up their costs. Election Day is Nov. 3.
The Record
Sources
- PBS NewsHour, “Surging diesel prices loom over Republicans in Iowa's midterm races” (2026-10-23). pbs.org/newshour/show/surging-diesel-prices-loom-over-republ
- KTTC (Gray Media), “Iowa Senate candidates release fuel price plans as diesel tops $6 a gallon” (2026-09-21). kttc.com/2026/09/21/iowa-senate-candidates-release-fuel-pric
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