CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten on Monday explained how “record-high spikes in gas prices” are “killer stuff for congressional majorities” ahead of the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

On Monday’s broadcast of “News Central,” Enten noted that gas prices usually rise during an election year “but never this high.”

“This is record-breaking,” he said. “We are talking record-breaking for a midterm this century.”

According to AAA, the average gas price on Tuesday stood at $4.32 per gallon. Enten noted that’s a current 52% hike, compared with “the average for a midterm cycle this century” of 18%.

It’s “up like a rocket,” he said. “My goodness gracious, by far the highest on record. The prior high was just 27%. This is nearly double the prior record high. We are talking a really, really large jump here.”

And Donald Trump’s argument that it’s down to his war in Iran, and it’ll be worth it in the long run, is “not winning the day” with American voters, he added.

Watch the full analysis here:

You wanna talk about a problem for the GOP?2026 is by far the biggest spike in gas prices (up 52%) over a midterm year this century.Worse? 2026 = 1st time in a midterm year this century where gas prices rose from Aug 14 to Sept 14!Killer stuff for congressional majorities. pic.twitter.com/IQ6c3MrN87

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