POLITICO Energy Dems turn the tables on energy
Nov 10, 2025
Rising electricity costs and the proliferation of AI data centers are shifting voter priorities. Democrats capitalized on these issues in key elections, effectively leveraging energy affordability in their messaging. Meanwhile, Republicans are grappling with their own strategies, exploring policy responses to counteract rising power prices. Internal divisions within the GOP highlight urgent discussions on clean-energy policies. As the energy landscape evolves, both parties are recalibrating their approaches to resonate with an increasingly aware electorate.
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Energy Prices Are Re-Emerging As Voter Issue
- Rising electricity prices and AI data centers are making energy affordability a prominent voter issue.
- Democrats exploited this shift to win messaging battles in recent state races.
Democrats Framed Affordability With Local Promises
- Democrats tied energy affordability to specific policy actions and local concerns like data centers.
- Candidates like Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger ran on direct promises to shield voters from rising utility costs.
GOP Sees Need For Tangible Energy Fixes
- Some Republican lawmakers acknowledge rising power prices hurt their performance in blue states.
- GOP strategists consider permitting reform and transmission expansion as visible fixes voters can see.