New Jersey-এর Oldwick-এ পেট্রোল পাম্পের মালিক Greg Schmidt, ল্যাবার ডেweekend-এ ধীর বিক্রয় riferport কর্তৃক, গ্যাসের দাম gallon-এ 4.59 ডলার পৌঁছে গেল। nationwide AAA অনুযায়ী, ছুটির জন্য national average holiday record तोड़ার পথে। বৃদ্ধি NJ-07 congressional district-এ voter-কে হिला দিয়েছে, যা Cook Political Report দ্বারা पहचানা গেলে শুধু 21 House toss-up এর মধ্যে একটি। এই district, New York City থেকে Pennsylvania border পর্যন্ত stretched, median income 133,000 dollar, এবং heavily cars पर নির্ভর; তিন-চারথAbove commuters drive, averaging 35 minutes.

Residents largely blame the US war with Iran launched by President Donald Trump, who spent the weekend at his nearby golf club. The midterms are viewed as a referendum on his second term. Republican incumbent Tom Kean Jr., son of a former governor, faces Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett. Kean, who recently returned after a four-month absence for depression treatment, received a visit from House Speaker Mike Johnson. Bennett drives a 2010 Honda Accord and pledges to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Voters like Bob Whalen, commuting 30 miles each way, report spending $400 monthly on fuel. Micah Rasmussen of Rider University's Rebovich Institute noted the daily reminder at the pump. Many interviewees could not name the candidates but held strong views linking the conflict to energy costs.