It\u2019s something that\u2019s top of mind for most New Yorkers and is expected to be a driving force in getting voters to the polls this November: affordability.<\/p>\n
Rising prices for everyday essentials remains a major concern as New Yorkers look to elected leaders to give them a break.<\/p>\n
\u201cAffordability is one of the most important factors in the upcoming election,\u201d said Democratic strategist David Carlucci. \u201cIt\u2019s always an issue. We remember that old term, \u2018it\u2019s the economy, stupid\u2019 from the Clinton days.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a tale as old as time, some New Yorkers, like other Americans, feel like they\u2019re running in place in trying to get their paychecks to keep up with the rising prices of everyday goods.<\/p>\n
Currently, the average price of a gallon of gas in New York is $4.15, which is five cents higher than the national average, according to AAA.<\/p>\n
Rising inflation is playing a role in driving up grocery prices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices are up 33% from 2019 through June of this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a big appetite right now for some sort of change and prices and costs are generally the focal point of that,\u201d said Russell Weaver, a research director at Cornell ILR Buffalo Office.<\/p>\n
As we get closer to November, experts say the state of our wallets could play an even bigger role than it has in years past in who we elect in the midterms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re already seeing that in some of the primaries that are happening in other states,\u201d said Weaver. \u201cCertainly, voters are going out, and they are voting for candidates that aren\u2019t necessarily tied to the establishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
But what does this mean for midterms in New York?<\/p>\n
Carlucci, a former Democratic state senator, said he believes New York\u2019s Democratic majority is in a \u201cgood position.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, in New York we have Democratic leadership, however, I think most people are thinking about the president of the United States,” he said.<\/p>\n
Some New Yorkers are also thinking about President Donald Trump’s words during his more recent stop in the Empire State to campaign with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman last week on Long Island.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor you to pay a tiny bit more for your gasoline, just know that you\u2019re doing it so a very evil country, a country that is really the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world, we don\u2019t want to have them have a nuclear weapon,\u201d said Trump.<\/p>\n
Republican strategist David Catalfamo said while gas prices are being impacted by the Iran war, he believes New York\u2019s affordability issues are tied to the party in power.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s real simple,\u201d said Catalfamo. \u201cNew York\u2019s been dominated by Democratic politics for the past 20 years. They\u2019re responsible for the policies.\u201d<\/p>\n