Inflation hitting nonwhite voters hardest, imperiling Democrats in 2022 midterms, new poll finds

Inflation hit a 40-year high in February

Nonwhite voters have been most impacted by inflation and their growing frustration poses a threat to Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterms, according to the findings of a recent poll. 

The poll, published Monday by The Wall Street Journal, showed that around 35% of nonwhite voters – including Black, Hispanic, and Asian-American – reported inflation causing higher strain on their finances compared with less than a third of White voters. 

Gas prices are displayed at a gas station Friday, March 11, 2022, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Overall, nearly 60% of participants said inflation was causing them "major or minor financial strain." Some of them reportedly blamed President Biden’s actions to limit oil-and-gas drilling and pipelines in the U.S. for causing inflation. 

Inflation hit a 40-year high in February, largely driven by higher gas prices. The consumer price index climbed nearly 8% on an annual basis, according to data released last week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Month over month, inflation rose 0.8%. 

CHINA'S NEW COVID LOCKDOWN HITS APPLE SUPPLIER, RAISING RISK OF HIGHER INFLATION

The growing resentment will have implications for Democrats going into the midterm polls. Democrats have traditionally relied on nonwhite voters as a solid voting bloc. But now many of these same nonwhite voters – Black, Hispanic, and Asian-American among them – say they think Republicans are better equipped to tame inflation.

inflation prices

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. grocery prices increased an average of nearly 11 percent over last year.  (FNC)

According to The Journal’s poll, 46% of Hispanic voters said they would "probably or definitely" vote for a Republican candidate for Congress over a Democrat, while Black voters who favored Democrats have dwindled by more than a third. 

CLICK HERE TO READ FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO

Meanwhile, all voters reported inflation and rising prices being the top issue for them, ranking well ahead of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, immigration and border security, and the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To read more from The Wall Street Journal, click here.