Vice President JD Vance is arguing that voters should choose Republicans over Democrats in the November midterms, claiming the latter would worsen street crime and invite criminals into communities. Speaking to Fox News Digital after a campaign rally in Tyler, Texas, Vance stated that Democrats have "lost their minds" regarding public safety. He connected this stance to a recent spike in Somali gang violence in Minnesota, where Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan is challenging Republican Michele Tafoya for a U.S. Senate seat.
Vance positioned the election as a choice between basic principles of safety and a Democratic agenda he described as unsafe. "If you elect Democrats, you're fundamentally electing people who will invite criminals into your state," Vance said. He contrasted this with the Republican platform, which he said prioritizes community security and preventing violent criminals from entering the country.
The vice president also addressed the tight U.S. Senate race in Texas, where he campaigned for Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton against Democrat State Representative James Talarico. Vance criticized Talarico for taking a two-week break from his campaign in October, calling the absence "bizarre" and questioning whether the candidate has the energy required for the job. While President Donald Trump has publicly urged a debate between Paxton and Talarico, Vance deferred to the candidates, stating they must negotiate the terms themselves.
Nationwide polling data cited by Fox News indicates Republicans face significant headwinds on economic issues. In a September poll, 61% of respondents identified gas prices as a major problem, up from 48% two years ago. Healthcare costs were cited by 52%, housing costs by 54%, and grocery prices by 62%. Additionally, 71% of respondents said the administration lacks a concrete strategy for ending the war in Iran.
Vance linked rising gas prices directly to the conflict in Iran, noting that the national average price per gallon spiked from $2.98 at the start of the war to $4.33. He defended the administration's response, which includes allowing Russian diesel into the market and announcing plans to build new refinery capacity. "We're doing everything that we can," Vance said, while acknowledging that Americans are struggling with high costs. He accused Democrats of complaining about these issues without offering solutions.
Regarding the war's conclusion, Vance did not provide a specific timeline but emphasized that Iran must commit to not rebuilding uranium enrichment capacity or pursuing nuclear weapons. "They're going to stay off the pathway that's developing a nuclear weapon," he said, asserting that the administration has been clear on this requirement.