Affordability: The issue that boosted Trump and Republicans in 2024 deflated them in 2025

Democrats did a 'good job' making affordability an issue, Kevin O'Leary argues. O'Leary Ventures chairman Kevin O'Leary analyzes the Trump administration's economic boom push and the impact of A.I. on the job market on 'The Story.' The economy, the issue that hurt Democrats in the 2024 elections, gave them a major boost in this year's ballot box showdowns . "Look, we know what’s important right now," Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said in his speech at the DNC's winter meeting earlier this month. "S‐‐‐ is too expensive." One year after deep concerns over inflation helped President Donald Trump and Republicans win back the White House and Senate and keep their House majority, Democrats say their decisive victories in last month's 2025 elections, and their overperformances in special elections and other ballot box showdowns this year were fueled by their laser focus on affordability amid persistent inflation. Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Meghan Meehan-Draper said Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, who overperformed the public opinion polls as they cruised to double-digit Election Night victories in the blue-leaning states, "stayed laser focused on the economy," and "talked about it all day, every day." DOUBLING DOWN: TOP HOUSE DEMOCRAT SAYS FOCUS ON AFFORDABILITY ‘ABSOLUTELY GOING TO CONTINUE’ Then-Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in New Jersey, celebrates her victory during an election night event in East Brunswick, N.J. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images) The issue also fueled one-time longshot far-left candidate Zohran Mamdani to a mayoral victory in New York City as he made cost of living the centerpiece of his campaign. Democrats say they'll double down on the issue of affordability heading into next year's midterm elections, as they try to win back congressional majorities from the Republicans. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) chair says Democrats will keep their focus squarely on affordability as they aim to "take back those gavels" by capturing the House majority in next year's midterm elections. ELECTION REFLECTION: DEMOCRATS ‘FLIPPED THE SCRIPT’ ON AFFORDABILITY House Democrats need to flip just three GOP-held seats in 2026 to win back control of the chamber for the first time in four years. "We're going to hold Republicans accountable for their policies that are hurting American families," Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington state, who for a second straight election cycle is chairing the DCCC, told Fox News Digital. DelBene said she'll keep her focus squarely on affordability as she aims to "take back those gavels." Pointing to last year's elections, she said, "That was their [Republicans] big message. They were going to lower costs. It has been a big broken promise, and people are feeling that, and that's had a big impact and will continue. People want folks who are going to stand up to them for them, not just be blindly loyal to the president." But GOP Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, chair of the rival National Republican Congressional Committee , highlighted the Republican narrative,...

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