ICYMI: Power Bills Emerge as Midterm Campaign Flashpoint Arrow

Trump's Energy Secretary: "High electricity prices are a political choice."

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to lower costs on "Day One" and that energy costs would be "cut in half." However, in nearly every state, energy bills have increased under Trump. Trump's own Energy Secretary admitted that rising energy prices could become a liability, saying, "High electricity prices are a political choice. They're not required."

On average, families' electricity bills went up by $110 last year - a 6.4% increase. The states with the largest increases include New Jersey (+16.9%), Indiana (+16.3%), Illinois (+15.9%), Pennsylvania (+12.1%), and Kentucky (+11.8%).

In response, DNC Spokesperson Albert Fujii released the following statement:

"Families are struggling to afford the basics because of Donald Trump, especially when it comes to their skyrocketing electricity bills. As Trump doubles down on his toxic policies, despite his own energy secretary admitting high electricity prices are 'a political choice,' Democrats are on offense across the country to ensure Donald Trump and his Republican allies are held accountable at the ballot box for choosing to make life unaffordable for millions of Americans."

Read more below:

Fox News: A basic monthly bill Americans can't dodge is becoming a midterm flashpoint

[Amanda Macias, 03/18/2026]

• A routine monthly expense Americans can't avoid is emerging as a potent midterm issue, as rising electricity bills sharpen voter frustration and hand candidates a new economic line of attack.

• As candidates fan out across the country ahead of the midterms, power bills are becoming a tangible symbol of household stress.

• Unlike other expenses that can be postponed or pared back, electricity costs hit every month with little room for consumers to opt out.

• The latest figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration put the national average at 17.24 cents per kilowatt-hour, up 6% from a year earlier.
  
  
• Secretary Chris Wright added, "High electricity prices are a political choice. They're not required."