Energy affordability could help tip the scales in elections across 10 states this fall — including battlegrounds with both statewide and federal contests on the ballot — according to a forecast released Friday by a clean energy-focused communications firm.
The cost of energy is expected to be a top issue in the campaigns for the House and Senate seats as Democrats try to take advantage of voters’ economic concerns and regain some control on Capitol Hill, as well as key governorships.
Echo Communications Advisors said the issue is likely to be most critical in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Ohio and Texas, all of which have both gubernatorial and Senate seats up for grabs. In addition, the list includes Arizona, Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
The firm based its forecast on factors like which states have seen the highest electricity price increases, where the political stakes are the highest and where data centers — a hot button issue being blames for rate hikes in many areas — are being built.
