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Gas and electricity costs shape US midterm election talking points
S&P Global Market Intelligence data shows US residential electricity prices rose 7% in 2025 versus 2024, with 12 states plus Washington, DC posting double-digit annual increases.
Elevated US gasoline and electricity prices are increasingly driving the debate ahead of the November midterm elections, as candidates emphasize consumer affordability over climate-focused messaging, according to OilPrice.
The outlet notes that Democrats have linked higher gas prices to President Trump’s foreign policy decisions, while candidates are also being pulled into a broader infrastructure discussion tied to data center expansion and its potential effects on consumer electricity rates.
OilPrice cites S&P Global Market Intelligence to say US residential electricity prices rose 7% in 2025 compared with 2024, with year-over-year increases reported in 46 states. It adds that 12 states and Washington, DC saw double-digit annual rate hikes, and it attributes the higher prices to a mix of factors including rising energy costs, infrastructure improvements, extreme weather, environmental mandates, and the energy demands of data centers.
The outlet further points to state-by-state pricing in the first quarter of 2026, saying Hawaii had the highest residential cost at 43.91 cents per kWh, followed by California at 36.15 cents and New York at 32.63 cents. OilPrice says the national average was 18.70 cents per kWh.
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