Slightly more Americans think Democrats, not Republicans, are the party most committed to reducing energy prices, a new POLITICO poll has found — yet another sign of potential trouble for President Donald Trump and the GOP on the issue of affordability.
Thirty-seven percent of U.S. adults believe Democrats care more about protecting them from spiking natural gas, heating and utility bills, compared with 25 percent who believe Republicans do, according to the poll of 2,093 people conducted by Public First on behalf of POLITICO.
While far short of a majority, the edge for Democrats on the question is striking given the decades that surges in fuel costs have tormented nearly every Democratic president since Jimmy Carter, giving Republicans a message to hammer at election time. As recently as late 2024, polls showed most voters trusting Trump over Kamala Harris to shepherd the economy.
But those tides may be turning, amid signs that stubbornly high — and rising — heating and electricity costs in much of the country could endanger Republicans’ slim four-seat lead in the House in the November elections. Trump has tried to quash unrest over skyrocketing electricity bills, which have soared despite his vow to slash energy costs in half during his first year in office.
