In top Senate race states, gas, grocery and housing costs are up

Key Points:

• Inflation remains the top concern for midterm voters, with rising costs in gas, groceries, housing, and stagnant wage growth fueling widespread economic dissatisfaction across party lines.
• Gas prices have surged significantly since February 2024, particularly in key battleground states like Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, and Maine, impacting voter sentiment in tight Senate races.
• Trump's tariffs and foreign policy actions have contributed to higher consumer costs, including increased prices for groceries and cars, with tariffs adding an average of $1,100 per household annually and disproportionately affecting states with competitive Senate contests.
• Housing affordability is worsening as home prices rise in several key states and cities, while higher mortgage rates put homeownership out of reach for many younger voters, adding to economic pressures.
• Wage growth is lagging behind inflation, resulting in a decline in real earnings for many Americans, particularly in battleground states like Nebraska, Iowa, and Alaska, intensifying voter frustration ahead of the midterm elections.