"Virginia Democrat Nicole Cole and her team spent much of their 2025 campaign for the state legislature standing in places like Weis Markets in Spotsylvania County, railing against prices that she said were too high: at least $3.79 for a dozen eggs, up to $7.99 for a pound of ground beef, $9.39 for coffee beans. Her effort paid off when she ousted a 36-year Republican from his state House seat."
"The cost of living also may have led voters to signal that this is President Donald Trump's economy now. Some prices have stabilized or even declined, and costs tend to be higher in New Jersey than Virginia. But economic concerns, which helped Trump return to power in 2024, appeared to weigh Republicans down in the two contests for governor in the first major election after they took control of the White House and Congress, according to the AP Voter Poll."
Nicole Cole and her team campaigned at grocery stores in Spotsylvania County, highlighting specific high food prices such as $3.79 for a dozen eggs, $7.99 for a pound of ground beef and $9.39 for coffee beans. Cole defeated a 36-year incumbent Republican and became one of 13 Virginia Democrats to flip competitive House seats. Economic and cost-of-living concerns appeared to weigh on Republicans in Virginia and New Jersey, where Democrats won key gubernatorial and legislative contests after focusing on pocketbook issues. Suburban and exurban counties like Spotsylvania and Morris shifted toward Democrats as voters reacted to everyday expenses.
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