Voters Demand Lower Costs in 2026
Polling shows 62% of Americans rank the cost of living as their top concern, prompting a wave of specific policy pledges from candidates across the country.
By Samir Doyle ·
The cost of living has become the dominant issue in the 2026 election cycle. A recent poll by the health policy nonprofit KFF found that 62% of voters identify living expenses as the primary topic they want candidates to address. This sentiment rivals concerns about health care and transportation.
Political campaigns have responded by packaging various economic policies under affordability slogans. These proposals range from tax cuts to regulatory changes aimed at specific household budgets.
Roy Cooper, a former North Carolina governor and current Democratic Senate candidate, uses the phrase 'Make stuff cost less.' Cooper cites tariffs and corporate influence as key drivers of high prices. He proposes blocking anti-competitive mergers and banning algorithmic pricing. His plan also includes expanding the child care tax credit and barring foreign buyers from single-family homes.
In New Mexico, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland runs on an 'Affordability agenda.' She attributes high costs to corporate profits and federal tariffs. Haaland pledges to waive permit fees for grocery stores in food deserts. She also plans to adjust the minimum wage for inflation annually and ban AI-driven rent fixing.
Republican Bruce Blakeman, running for governor in New York, focuses on taxes and energy. He blames state green energy policies for high utility bills. Blakeman promises to cut utility bills in half, though he has not detailed the specific mechanism. He also seeks to lift New York's ban on fracking to expand domestic energy production.
Democratic Senate candidate Annie Andrews in South Carolina uses the slogan 'Gas, grits and groceries.' She argues that corrupt politicians and big corporations inflate everyday prices. Andrews proposes suspending federal gas and diesel taxes for immediate relief. She also wants to expand the child care workforce through a federal apprenticeship program.
In Texas, Democratic candidate James Talarico frames high costs as a corruption crisis driven by billionaire influence. He proposes raising the minimum wage and canceling medical debt. Talarico also plans to repeal tax breaks for the top 1% and redirect those funds to a cost-of-living tax cut. Republican Ken Paxton, also running for Senate in Texas, blames corporate price-gouging. He proposes a $50,000 tax deduction for first-time homebuyers and a $5,000 deduction for healthy-lifestyle expenses like gym memberships.
Xavier Becerra, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in California, argues that weak competition allows corporations to gouge families. He promises to freeze utility rates and home insurance premiums. Becerra also plans to declare a housing state of emergency to cut permitting delays and speed up construction.
