| As gas prices surge to more than $4 per gallon across New York and Diesel in the Hudson Valley reaches nearly $7 a gallon, CNN highlighted vulnerable Republican Mike Lawler’s refusal to respond when asked if his constituents should tolerate gas prices above $4.00.
CNN writes: “In a midterm election that will likely be decided by how voters feel about the economy, Republicans are grappling with how to discuss the war in Iran and its impact on fuel costs.”
Lawler has already failed that test countless times: Days after Trump’s reckless war started, Lawler declared that the resulting gas price increases were “absolutely worth it.” As the conflict now drains $1 billion a day from taxpayers, Lawler doubled down, calling Trump’s war a “righteous decision.” When Lawler refused to admit that inflation and gas prices have risen because of the war, CNN used his own affordability ad against him.
 Read more: CNN: High gas prices become another midterm warning sign for Republicans
- Republicans had spent the weeks before the war touting lower prices under President Donald Trump. Now, with the national average for gas rising above $4 a gallon for the first time since 2022 and Trump’s economic approval ratings hitting a record low, Democrats are seeking to tie the war to their broader affordability message, arguing that Republicans are more focused on foreign affairs than reducing costs at home.
- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee…started running digital ads last month in all of their 44 target districts blaming congressional Republicans for higher gas prices.
- Asked how much longer his constituents will need to tolerate gas prices over $4 a gallon, New York Rep. Mike Lawler told Bloomberg News his constituents “suffered greatly” under those prices under Biden and “many of my Democratic colleagues said everything was great.”
- In Democratic-led states like California and New York, where costs for gas and other goods were already high compared to the rest of the country, Republicans are urging their candidates to shift some of the attention to Democratic policies they argue have also contributed to high costs.
DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi:
“While families across the Lower Hudson Valley are getting crushed by rising gas prices, Mike Lawler says the price hikes are ‘absolutely worth it.’ He’s made it clear he’ll stand with Donald Trump no matter the cost – even when it means higher prices for the people he’s supposed to represent.”
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