Vice President JD Vance is framing the upcoming midterm elections as a choice between Republican security measures and Democratic policies that he claims invite crime. Speaking to Fox News Digital from Tyler, Texas, Vance argued that Democrats have "lost their minds" on public safety, citing recent gang violence in Minnesota as evidence that voting for the party makes communities less safe.
The comments come as Republicans face significant headwinds in national polling regarding the cost of living. Fox News data indicates that 61% of respondents polled in September view gas prices as a major problem, a sharp increase from 48% two years ago. Similarly, 52% cite healthcare costs as a major issue, up from 44%. While majorities also identified housing and grocery prices as concerns, those figures have declined slightly from previous levels, dropping to 54% and 62% respectively.
Vance linked these economic pressures to the ongoing war in Iran, noting that the national average gas price has spiked from $2.98 per gallon at the start of the conflict earlier this year to $4.33 per gallon today. He stated that the administration is addressing the pain by allowing Russian diesel into the market and expanding refinery capacity, though he acknowledged that building new energy infrastructure takes time. When asked about a definitive end date for the war, Vance declined to provide one, but said Iran must commit to not rebuilding uranium enrichment capacity or pursuing nuclear weapons.
In Texas, Vance rallied for Attorney General Ken Paxton in his tight U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico. Vance criticized Talarico’s two-week absence from the campaign in October, calling it "bizarre" and questioning whether the candidate has the necessary energy for the job. While President Donald Trump has urged the two candidates to debate, Vance maintained that the decision belongs to the campaigns themselves, describing Paxton as a future "great senator." Talarico has demanded a debate, but Paxton has yet to agree.
The political stakes extend to Minnesota, where Democratic Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan faces Republican Michele Tafoya for a U.S. Senate seat. Vance used the state’s recent Somali gang violence to illustrate his broader argument about Democratic governance. He told voters that while they may not agree with Republicans on every issue, the party shares basic principles regarding community safety and border security.
Polling data suggests voters are frustrated with the administration’s handling of foreign policy alongside domestic costs. In a separate Fox News poll, 71% of respondents said the Trump administration lacks a concrete strategy for ending the war in Iran. Vance countered that critics complain without offering solutions, emphasizing that the administration is taking steps to lower gas prices despite international shipping disruptions caused by Iran.