Everyone has the same question in the midterms – where’s the beef? (And how much does it cost?)

In the current midterms, a surprising political battleground has emerged over meat. As Democrats and Republicans debate over high prices and the Iran war, they are also engaging in a food fight, vying for the title of the most red-blooded carnivore. This issue came to light recently in Mississippi, where Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom released a video featuring a snippet of Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith's comments.

Hyde-Smith suggested that if people are upset about high beef prices, "you know you have so many proteins to choose from." The video then cuts to a man grilling burgers, who sarcastically quips, "Pick another protein? I'd rather pick another senator instead."

This Mississippi race is notable for its focus on meat. Democrats are hammering Republicans over beef, while Republicans have retaliated by branding Democrats as vegans or otherwise opposed to meat. This tactic aims to show that they are culturally in step with voters, friendlier to local cattle industries, and more masculine.

In Texas, Republicans seized on an old interview in which Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico claimed his campaign was going vegan. Talarico has since been seen consuming barbecue to counter allegations that his dietary choices make him an unsuitable representative of Texas. In Colorado, Republicans have targeted Democratic congressional candidate Manny Rutinel for his activism against meat production and factory farming.

Rutinel, who founded Climate Refarm and signed onto letters advocating for meat and dairy taxes, has been depicted in a Daily Wire undercover video eating meat "as little as possible." He dismisses such criticisms, stating that he believes Coloradans care more about the choices of others than his own.

Republicans have also attacked two other Democratic House candidates on meat. In Iowa, Rep. Ashley Hinson criticized her opponent, state lawmaker Josh Turek, for opposing a bill to ban lab-grown meat. "He'd rather have meat that comes from a lab than from our family farms," Hinson said. In Arizona, Amish Shah, known for his vegetarianism and animal rights activism, is facing accusations from Republican Rep. Gabe Evans over his dietary choices.

Evans argues that Rutinel's stance on veganism reflects a desire to use government power to dictate dietary preferences, rather than genuine concern for environmental issues.