Six 2026 Candidates Pitch Specific Plans to Lower Consumer Costs

Six candidates in the 2026 midterm cycle have released detailed plans to lower household costs, ranging from freezing utility rates to expanding tax credits. These proposals target specific sectors such as housing, health care, and energy in states including North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, Texas, and California. The candidates aim to address voter concerns about the cost of living, a topic that has dominated recent polling data.

A poll released by the health policy nonprofit KFF this month found that 62% of voters identify the cost of living as the top issue they want candidates to address. The survey also listed affording health care, gas, and other transportation costs as major concerns. Candidates are using this data to frame their policy platforms, often linking high prices to corporate influence, tariffs, or state-level regulatory decisions.

Roy Cooper, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, argues that tariffs and corporate power are squeezing families. He proposes blocking anti-competitive mergers and banning algorithmic pricing to lower household costs. Cooper also plans to restore health coverage lost to recent ACA and Medicaid cuts and to cap out-of-pocket drug costs through Medicare negotiation. His housing plan includes building more homes and barring corporate and foreign buyers from single-family properties.

Deb Haaland, the Democratic candidate for governor of New Mexico, cites record corporate profits and federal tariffs as drivers of inflation. She proposes waiving permit fees for stores in food deserts to cut grocery costs and speeding up housing approvals to lower rents. Haaland also plans to raise the minimum wage with annual inflation adjustments and expand the Child Tax Credit to put more money into family pockets.

Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor of New York, blames high state taxes and green energy policies for elevated electricity bills. He promises to cut utility bills in half and lower taxes, though he has not specified the mechanism for the utility reduction. Blakeman also supports expanding domestic energy production, including lifting the state ban on fracking.

Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina, focuses on immediate relief for basic necessities. She proposes suspending federal gas and diesel taxes to lower pump prices. Her plan also includes expanding the child care workforce through a federal apprenticeship program and giving local communities the authority to push back on new data center development.

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, frames high costs as part of a corruption crisis. He proposes raising the minimum wage, expanding overtime pay, and canceling medical debt. Talarico also plans to repeal tax breaks for the top 1% and redirect those funds into a cost-of-living tax cut. His energy plan involves repealing tax breaks for data centers and requiring them to pay for their own power infrastructure.

Ken Paxton, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, blames corporate price-gouging and government spending for rising costs. He proposes creating federal tax deductions for out-of-pocket medical expenses and a $50,000 deduction for first-time homebuyers. Paxton also wants to double the child tax credit and make Trump Accounts for children permanent. His plan includes requiring data centers to fund their own power infrastructure.

Xavier Becerra, the Democratic candidate for governor of California, argues that weak competition and price-gouging are hurting families. He proposes freezing utility rates and home insurance premiums and declaring a housing state of emergency to speed up construction. Becerra has described himself as the health care governor, promising to cover all Californians under a new plan.

Voters can find detailed ballot information through state election offices or the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. The League of Women Voters also offers a tool called VOTE411 that lists candidate positions on various issues.