Swing Voters Cite Gas Prices in Political Calculations
NPR’s Swing Shift project, which tracks swing voters from swing states, reports that high gas prices are influencing participants’ personal finances and political outlook. Voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Georgia described paying between $3.67 and $5.50 per gallon. Many noted that prices are over a dollar more than the same time last year. A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found more than 60 percent of respondents blame President Trump for the increase, and 81 percent said gas prices strain their household budgets. Some voters said the issue will affect their midterm election choices, while others expressed trust in the president’s plan regarding the war. The article attributes a recent Midwest price spike to refinery problems and high global oil prices.
What’s reported
NPR’s Swing Shift project regularly checks in with swing voters from swing states who have voted for both parties.
Voters are not using their full names to speak freely.
Colleen in Pennsylvania paid $4.37 a gallon; she voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and Donald Trump in 2020.
John in Philadelphia pays about $4.25 a gallon; he supported Trump in 2024 after swinging to Democrats in 2020.
Lee in Nevada pays $5.50 a gallon; he voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Trump in 2024.
Jason in North Carolina paid $3.67 in early May.
Michelle in Michigan paid $4.96; she swung to Trump in 2024 and lives on a fixed income.
Theresa near Pittsburgh paid $4.69; she voted for Trump in 2024 and said the issue will affect her November vote.
Gerald in Georgia uses diesel; he voted for Trump in 2024 after a lifetime of backing Democrats and trusts the president’s plan.
Wally in Georgia stayed home for Memorial Day to avoid spending on gas.
A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll found more than 60 percent of respondents blame President Trump for the current increase in gas prices.
The same poll found 81 percent of respondents said gas prices strain their household budgets.
Gas prices remain well over a dollar more than this time last year.
Midwest gas price spike resulted from refinery problems and high global oil prices.
Key figures
Colleen (Pennsylvania swing voter, pseudonym)
John (Philadelphia swing voter, pseudonym)
Lee (Nevada swing voter, pseudonym)
Jason (North Carolina swing voter, pseudonym)
Michelle (Michigan swing voter, pseudonym)
Theresa (outside Pittsburgh swing voter, pseudonym)
Gerald (Georgia swing voter, pseudonym)
Wally (Georgia swing voter, pseudonym)
Sources: NPR
