These swing voters are adding high gas prices into their political calculations

Gas prices in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia are rising enough to change daily spending decisions for swing voters. Colleen reported paying $4.37 per gallon and described having to tell her children to cut back on other items to afford fuel. She said political leaders do not show enough concern, adding that their finances seem deeper than hers. John in Philadelphia reported paying about $4.25 per gallon and linked high fuel costs to higher grocery and other prices. He described how restaurant prices have become difficult to manage, reflecting broader strain on household budgets and potential political consequences in upcoming elections.

"“Telling my kiddos, 'we have to cut back on some stuff so that we can pay to put gas in the car and get from point A to point B,'” she said in a voice memo sent to NPR. Colleen is one of about a dozen voters participating in Swing Shift, a project from NPR that will regularly check in with swing voters from swing states. The participants have all voted for candidates from both parties over the years and aren't using their full names so they can speak more freely about politics and, in this case, gas prices, without fear of personal or professional repercussions."

"“I guess their pockets are deeper than mine,” said Colleen. “Maybe I should start thinking more about politics as I fill up.” Voters like Colleen have seen slight relief in recent days as gas prices have fallen slightly. But a gallon of regular unleaded is still well over a dollar more than it was this time last year. That could have political consequences in the midterm elections in the fall. But it's already affecting the way voters in NPR's Swing Shift project are living their lives."

"John in Philadelphia says he's paying about $4.25 a gallon, a big jump from just a couple months ago. “How am I feeling about it? Not good.” he said. “High gas prices lead to high grocery prices and other prices.” He tends to vote Republican and supported Trump in 2024 after swinging to Democrats in 2020. In his voice memo, John mentioned his wife recently had dinner out with friends at a chain restaurant. Her pasta entree was $30."

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