Greg Schmidt, owner of a petrol station in Oldwick, New Jersey, reported sluggish Labor Day weekend sales as prices hit $4.59 a gallon. National averages are on track for a holiday record, per AAA. The surge is rattling voters in New Jersey's seventh congressional district, one of only 21 House toss-ups identified by the Cook Political Report. The district, stretching from New York City to the Pennsylvania border with a median income of $133,000, relies heavily on cars; over three-quarters of 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.