Closely watched gubernatorial campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey are serving as testing grounds for how candidates will use surging electricity prices to their advantage in next year’s midterm elections.
The off-year elections in both states have long been seen as previews of the midterms and measures of parties’ standing among voters. What’s different this year is the unprecedented spike in U.S. electricity demand — and voters’ concerns about soaring energy prices.
In New Jersey, Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill will face Republican Jack Ciattarelli. In Virginia, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger will face Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Both Democrats are favored to win in most polling.
Democrats point to the Republican-led One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which terminated tax credits for wind, solar and other clean energy technologies, as well as President Donald Trump’s cancellations of major renewable energy projects and grants.
