Gas surge tied to Iran conflict hits swing states, testing Trump’s low-price pitch
For voters feeling the sting of rising gas prices, a trip to the gas pump is becoming a daily flash point as midterm elections loom.President Donald Trump touted low gas...
By Fox News · Fox News
For voters feeling the sting of rising gas prices, a trip to the gas pump is becoming a daily flash point as midterm elections loom. President Donald Trump touted low gas prices during his February State of the Union address, saying they had fallen "below $2.30 a gallon in most states and in some places, $1.99." Now, an escalating conflict with Iran is sending prices sharply higher — particularly in battleground states like Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Ohio. That surge is undercutting a central economic message that helped power Trump’s return to office and could reshape the political landscape as fuel costs rise in key states. "I used to put $30 worth of gas in my car for the week — now it’s $45," said Zafar, an Uber driver who typically fills up in Virginia, where gas prices are more than $1 higher than a year ago. WHERE GAS PRICES ARE RISING THE FASTEST AS TRUMP’S IRAN DEADLINE LOOMS "I have no choice — I have to support my family," he said, adding that he can't afford to cut back on driving despite rising gas prices. Just weeks ago, the outlook looked very different. The national average has climbed to $4.16 per gallon, up about 91 cents from a year ago, according to AAA, with prices rising across nearly every region. West Coast drivers are seeing the highest costs, with prices reaching $5.93 per gallon in California and $5.39 in Washington. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, gas prices have surpassed $4 in several areas, including $4.29 in Washington, D.C. , and $4.18 in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, in the Midwest , Illinois stands out at $4.36 per gallon, while much of the region remains in the mid-$3 range. While Southern states remain comparatively cheaper, prices are climbing there as well, with Georgia at $3.73, Texas and Alabama at $3.84, and Florida higher at $4.18. Oklahoma and Kansas have the lowest gas prices in the nation, at $3.34 and $3.39, respectively. Beyond gasoline, other fuel costs are rising even faster. Diesel has climbed to $5.66, up about…