GOP Senate candidates have claimed that the war in Iran they “wholeheartedly support” is “over” and “out of sight, out of mind” for many Americans – applauding the “mop-up operation” that “went very well”
New York Times’ Carl Hulse: “It’s brutal, the gas prices. And it’s a killer issue for the Republicans. And they know it […] It has decided midterms many times. Looks like it will again”
Despite national backlash, nearly every Senate Republican, including those in tight races in key Senate battleground states, just voted to continue the price-hiking war in Iran – which has gas prices approaching “their highest level of the year” and diesel prices “registering new daily all-time highs.”
This comes after GOP Senate candidates shamelessly and desperately scrambled to paper over their extensive records supporting, advocating for, and defending the unpopular war – including Sens. Husted and Sullivan, who tried to claim they wanted to end the war, only to vote to continue it today.
From DSCC Communications Director Maeve Coyle: “With 40 days to go until the midterm elections, Senate Republicans showed voters again that they would rather rubber-stamp Trump’s unpopular, price-spiking war in Iran than fight to rein in the skyrocketing costs of gas, diesel and fertilizer that are hurting people in their state. Every single GOP Senate candidate is already on record supporting, advocating for, and defending this price-spiking war – and in November voters will hold them accountable for it.”
GOP SENATE CANDIDATES HAVE ALL SUPPORTED, PRAISED, AND DEFENDED THE PRICE-HIKING WAR IN IRAN:
IN ALASKA:
- DAN SULLIVAN:
- Voted multiple times in favor of continuing the war in Iran.
- Claimed the economy is headed in the “right direction,” while rural Alaskans have faced fuel prices up to $10 a gallon, and he even sent a fundraising email begging Alaskans to help pay for his gas money.
- See also: Alaska Beacon: Gasoline hits $26 per gallon in the northwest Alaska village of Shungnak
IN FLORIDA:
- ASHLEY MOODY:
- See also: CBS News: Middle East tensions are driving Florida gas prices to their highest since May, AAA says
IN GEORGIA:
- MIKE COLLINS:
- Voted multiple times against resolutions to stop the war in Iran – including as recently as last week.
- Praised Trump’s highly unpopular war in Iran, even going as far as to say that Trump is doing a “fantastic job.” Collins, who has said that he “wholeheartedly support[s]” Trump’s agenda, told struggling Georgians that “the economy is moving.”
- See also: Fox 5 Atlanta: Tank of gas in Georgia a painful $60 decision, voters frustrated
IN IOWA:
- ASHLEY HINSON:
- See also: Iowa’s News Now: Record diesel prices squeeze Iowa farmers as harvest begins, raising fuel supply fears; Iowa’s News Now: Gas prices continue to rise in Iowa, averaging $4.38/gallon
IN KANSAS:
- ROGER MARSHALL:
- Voted multiple times in favor of continuing the war in Iran.
- Has claimed that the war in Iran is “over” and called it a “mop-up operation.”
- Called the war a “bold, necessary, and long-overdue strike,” and said that “Americans are going to have to make some sacrifices.”
- Told Kansans that he “applaud[s] President Trump” and is “standing with the President on Iran.”
- See also: KWCH: Kansas shoppers should expect to pay more for groceries as diesel costs increase; KCTV: Gas prices climb in KCK as drivers, city budgets feel the pinch
IN MAINE:
- SUSAN COLLINS:
- See also: WABI 5: Maine diesel prices hit all-time high, AAA says
IN MICHIGAN:
- MIKE ROGERS:
- Falsely claimed that the Iran War would be over in 60 days, said that it “should have happened a long time ago,” and told Michiganders struggling with rising prices that they’re “gonna be fine; we’ve got plenty of oil.”
- Told Michiganders that he “[doesn’t] mind giving the President the authority” to indefinitely continue the Iran War.
- Said Michiganders who blame Trump and Republican policies for driving up costs are “nuts” and that “Trump derangement” has caused them to “lose their mind.”
- Argued that there is no “inflation, as a matter of fact, it’s down […] and that means working families, not paying more” and has previously mocked concerns over rising costs, saying “Oh my gosh, coffee went up, you know, horror.”
- See also: Detroit Free Press: Michigan has highest average weekly gasoline price surge in the nation
IN MISSISSIPPI:
- CINDY HYDE-SMITH:
- Voted multiple times in favor of continuing the war in Iran and claimed that the resolutions brought forth to end the war were “primarily rooted in a deep personal dislike for President Trump.”
- Has accepted “at least $14,000 from the fertilizer industry” as the Iran war she has voted to continue drives up fertilizer costs.
- See also: WLBT: Diesel hits record high as Mississippi gas prices climb closer to $4 a gallon on average
IN NEW HAMPSHIRE:
- JOHN E. SUNUNU:
- Defended Donald Trump’s unauthorized war on Iran and is cashing in as the war continues to spike gas prices for New Hampshire families. New financial disclosures reveal that Sununu’s oil and gas portfolio surged as much as 24% during the war with Iran, which is driving up oil prices.
- See also: Business NH Magazine: NH Gas Prices Have Risen by a Third Over the Past Year
IN NORTH CAROLINA:
- MICHAEL WHATLEY:
- Is a Big Oil Lobbyist who defended Trump’s war with Iran and has insisted that North Carolinians “are not getting gouged” at the gas pump as he continues to profit off of his $1.39 million investments in the oil and gas industry, which grew by up to $219,660 between the start of Trump’s war in Iran and April 1.
- Told voters to “take a look at what’s happening with the economy. President Trump campaigned on bringing down gasoline prices, grocery prices, and housing prices. How are we doing?”
- See also: WRAL: Gas prices rising across the board in NC as national prices hit milestones
IN OHIO:
- JON HUSTED:
- Voted multiple times in favor of continuing the war in Iran.
- Claimed that military operations in Iran “went very well” while also admitting the war he supported “has put a strain on Americans.”
- Attempted to use the Iran War as an excuse to stay in Washington and get out of testifying in person in the FirstEnergy bribery trial – but got caught sneaking back into Ohio for a $1,000-per-plate fundraiser.
- Claimed the war was going “much better than anyone thought it would,” even though U.S. service members have died and gas prices are skyrocketing.
- Told struggling Ohioans that they are “not very experienced at navigating the real world” and that they need to “learn how to budget.”
- Argued that the solution to the affordability crisis is to “earn more,” and said that Ohioans’ work ethic is “broken.”
- See also: WLWT: Rising diesel prices putting pressure on farmers as harvest gets underway
IN SOUTH CAROLINA:
- DARLINE GRAHAM:
- Has already voted twice in favor of continuing the war in Iran.
- Despite saying that national security was “not her thing,” Graham has repeatedly praised Trump’s handling of the war in Iran, saying she “fully” “trust[s] President Trump in everything he’s doing” and that “he’s got this.”
- See also: WCIV: South Carolina gas prices jump 15 cents in a week, pushing average above $4 a gallon
IN TEXAS:
- KEN PAXTON:
- Has “stood by” Trump’s actions in Iran and said he was “very glad” that Trump started the attacks.
- Has “remained silent” amid calls from James Talarico to suspend the federal gas tax and said he wishes the war had happened “after the midterm elections.”
- See also: KETK: Gas prices near $4 in Texas as calls grow to suspend state gas tax
See also: DSCC: NEW DATA: GOP-Backed Iran War Costs Voters $56 Billion at the Pump as Republican Senate Candidates Tell Them to “Be Patriots” & “Learn How to Budget”; DSCC: ICYMI: New Reports Expose GOP Cashing In on Big Oil Donations as Iran War Spikes Gas Prices; DSCC: ICYMI: Dan Sullivan “Begs Donors to Help Him ‘Pay for Gas’ after Voting to Continue Trump’s War”; DSCC: New Ad Campaign Slams Price Hike Mike Rogers for Dismissing Skyrocketing Michigan Gas Prices; DSCC: IN THE STATES: GOP Senate Candidates’ Cost-Raising Agenda Continues Driving Up Gas Prices Across the U.S.; DSCC: QUICK CLIPS: Tafoya Tells Minnesotans to “Take One Less Trip to Starbucks” and to “Just Try to be Patriots” as Gas Prices Skyrocket
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