Rising utility bills have become a significant focus in the midterm elections, with Democrats investing heavily in highlighting this aspect of affordability. New data from AdImpact, analyzed by the advocacy group Climate Power, shows that over $191 million has been allocated to political ads addressing utility and energy costs during the first nine months of 2026. Notably, more than $138 million was spent in the third quarter alone.
Most of this spending comes from Democrats targeting crucial battleground states in the 2026 elections. These elections emphasize issues of affordability and the increasing cost of living. Climate Power’s spokesperson, Marcus W. Robinson, stated that Democrats are addressing voters’ concerns about costs because they know this message resonates.
A New Midterm Focus
To assess the emphasis on utility costs in the 2026 campaigns, Climate Power reviewed AdImpact data and searched for terms such as “utility bill” and “electricity bill” in campaign materials. This analysis covers various political races and includes broadcast, cable, and digital video ads from January 1. The findings indicate a significant increase in spending, from $25.5 million in the first quarter to $47.4 million in the second, and then to $138.5 million in the third quarter.
Climate Power reported that the later spending supported 1,904 unique ads with over 600,000 airings between July 1 and September 30. Additionally, another $96.3 million was spent from October 1 to October 16 for close to 300,000 airings. Democrats accounted for 70% of utility-related ad spending in the third quarter, focusing primarily on battleground states such as Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Texas. These states comprised over 60% of all utility-focused ad spending since July.
Robinson noted that Democratic candidates in battleground states are leading the discussions about rising utility costs because they recognize its importance in everyday family discussions.
Regions with Highest Utility Bills
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 4.4% increase in electricity costs in the year leading up to September, surpassing the general inflation rate of 3.7%. ElectricChoice’s recent analysis found the average U.S. residential electricity rate to be 18.34ยข per kilowatt-hour, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
According to average monthly electricity bills, the following states are the most expensive:
- Hawaii: $268
- California: $190
- Alabama: $182
- New York: $174
- Texas: $173
- Massachusetts: $172
- Missouri: $172
- New Hampshire: $172
- Delaware: $171
- Georgia: $171
Cost Concerns Over Climate Change
Surveys suggest voters are focusing more on energy costs than climate change. A Searchlight Institute survey in mid-September of 1,498 likely voters found 56% prioritized lowering costs over climate change actions. Furthermore, 96% indicated that their energy bills had remained steady or increased during the past year. A poll by Climate Power and Hart Research in January among 2,710 registered voters revealed that 84% had concerns over their electricity bills, with 42% of swing voters expressing high levels of worry.
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