Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., pointed to the war in Ukraine on Wednesday as a major driver behind high diesel prices, as energy costs emerge as a central issue in the fast-approaching midterm elections.
The Kansas Republican made the remarks during a Senate debate against his Democratic challenger, Adam Hamilton, where he also took aim at policies he said have left the country reliant on foreign diesel.
“The real problem with the cost of diesel, in particular, is No. 1, is the Ukraine war, and because of that, diesel production has gone down. But beyond that, why are we dependent upon diesel imports?” Marshall said.
Marshall then turned his fire on his opponent, tying Hamilton directly to the Green New Deal and to the Senate’s top Democrat.
“It’s because of the Green New Deal policy that my opponent supports. His policies would fit in just right with Chuck Schumer. So, if I would lose this seat, Adam Hamilton would give control of the Senate to Chuck Schumer, who would go back to his Green New Deal,” Marshall said, referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Several factors are fueling the recent spike in diesel prices, including the ongoing war in Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war.
The war in Iran has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for the oil industry. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries have also been pushing diesel prices higher.
The numbers at the pump tell the story. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of diesel stood at about $6.31 on Thursday morning, up from roughly $3.63 at the same time last year.
That sharp increase has turned energy costs into a key battleground in the 2026 midterms, as Republicans fight to hold on to control of Congress.
The Kansas Senate race itself has become one to watch. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest between Marshall and Hamilton as a “toss-up.”
That rating stands out in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since the 1930s, making the race a notable test for the GOP in what has traditionally been reliably Republican territory.
Energy prices are not the only headwind Republicans face this cycle. Other issues weighing on the party in this year’s midterms include President Trump’s unpopularity and ongoing concerns about the cost of living.
For Marshall, the debate offered an opportunity to frame the race as a choice about who controls the Senate. By linking Hamilton to Schumer and the Green New Deal, the senator sought to cast his opponent as a vote for Democratic leadership and the energy policies he blames for America’s dependence on imported diesel.
The exchange highlights how both the conflict abroad and energy policy at home are shaping the political debate as voters weigh their options heading into November.
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