New Exit Poll: Energy Costs Shaped the Midterms, Helped Deliver Democratic Victories

Midterm voters blamed Republicans for rising energy costs, and nearly 60% want the United States’ energy policies to be different from Trump’s going forward

Washington, DC – Following historic midterm victories for Democrats in races across the country, new exit polling from Hart Research released today shows that rising energy costs like gas and utilities were a top issue for voters in competitive districts, and a primary reason for Republican losses. 

Voters held Trump and Republicans responsible for high energy bills. In the exit poll, nearly two-thirds of voters (64%) said Trump has made things worse for consumers on energy prices; and 59% say the same of Republicans in Congress – the highest rates recorded across six surveys in the past year. 

Americans want change, specifically access to more affordable, clean energy. Voters are ready to move on from Trump and Republicans’ corrupt, polluting, expensive energy agenda and have given Democrats a chance to show they are serious about energy affordability. Nearly six in 10 (58%) want the United States’ energy policies to be different from Trump’s going forward. Overall, when voters were asked what changes they would make, the top response (34%) was more reliance on and investment in renewable energy. 

The survey, conducted in partnership with Climate Power, EDF Action, League of Conservation Voters, and NRDC Action Fund was conducted with voters across 62 House districts which the Cook Political Report rated as Lean D, Toss Up, Lean R, or Likely R to understand how energy costs affected voters’ thinking and behavior in the 2026 election.   

The complete polling memo can be found here.