Data Centers Made Noise, But Skyrocketing Gasoline And Diesel Prices Decided The Midterms

The article argues that high petrol and diesel prices, rather than data centres, were the main economic issue shaping the 2026 US midterm elections. It says voters linked the price rises to the Iran conflict launched by President Donald Trump, and that his comments downplaying the cost made him appear out of touch with families under financial pressure.

Data centres featured in several state races, with candidates from both parties pledging to limit their impact on household costs, but the article says fuel prices mattered more broadly. On Election Day, the national average was $4.15 a gallon for regular petrol and $6.29 for diesel, up about 35% and 70% respectively from a year earlier. It attributes the increases to higher crude prices after the Iran conflict and Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries, which also raised transport costs for consumer goods.