Surging diesel prices loom over Republicans in Iowa's midterm races

Iowa has not elected a Democratic governor or senator in over ten years, but with both incumbents retiring, this year's races for those offices are competitive. PBS NewsHour reports that sharply higher diesel costs, tied to the war in Iran, are weighing on farmers and could shape how rural voters behave in November.

Over the past eight months, farm expenses have climbed, and diesel has doubled in price. Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, says harvesting and hauling his crop now costs him $1,000 more per day than in 2025, and the fertilizer used on this year's corn costs 75 percent more than it did a year earlier. His organization has endorsed every Democratic congressional candidate, which he called unusual for the group. Diesel was the opening topic when Iowa's Senate candidates debated, and one of them criticized Ashley Hinson for voting in favor of the war seven times.

The White House has pledged $8 billion in relief aimed at farmers facing fuel costs. In Kansas, farmer Ron Suppes says he will still back Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who faces Adam Hamilton in a toss-up contest.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →