{
  "id": 16839778,
  "title": "Iran war puts Republican foreign policy hawks under pressure before midterms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/iran-war-puts-republican-foreign-policy-hawks-under-pressure-before",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2026/10/28/midterms-iran-trump-republicans/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The ongoing war against Iran has become a liability for Republicans as they head into the upcoming midterm elections, particularly for some prominent hawks on foreign affairs committees. Democrats are leveraging the conflict to link Republican support for the war to the rising cost of fuel and what they perceive as President Trump's lack of a clear plan to end the conflict. A recent AP-Norc poll found that eight out of 10 registered voters want the next Congress to prioritize lowering the cost of living, with many also expressing a desire to see the war in Iran come to an end. The conflict has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz and pushed petrol prices in the US past $1.13 a litre, more than 40% higher than at the start of Trump's term.\n\nSen. Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate foreign relations committee and a Republican candidate running for re-election in Alaska, has found himself in an unexpectedly competitive race against Democrat Mary Peltola. Recent polls show Peltola narrowly ahead, and Sullivan has faced criticism for voting against a resolution that would have required Trump to end the war or seek congressional authorization. Sullivan has been a staunch supporter of Trump's agenda, particularly on Iran, defense, and energy, backing Trump's Operation Midnight Hammer strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and defending the ongoing conflict as a response to decades of US-Iran tension.\n\nThe race in Alaska is complicated by another candidate on the ballot, Daniel J. Sullivan, who could confuse voters and potentially pull support away from the incumbent. The DOJ has sued Alaska election officials to block certification of the results if Sullivan loses, arguing that voters could be confused by the two candidates with similar names. A Reuters/Ipsos poll this month found that 78% of Americans blame Trump's policies for price increases that outpace their earnings, highlighting concerns among Republicans that foreign policy is contributing to voters' economic anxieties.\n\nOther vulnerable Republicans facing challenges include Sen. Pete Ricketts, who also sits on the Senate foreign relations committee and is in a close race with independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska. Ricketts has consistently supported the war in Iran and has opposed congressional efforts to restrict Trump's war powers. However, he has broken with Trump on economic policies affecting Nebraska's agricultural sector. Rep. Mike Lawler, who sits on the House foreign affairs committee and is facing a tight race in New York against Democrat Cait Conley, has also been criticized for opposing a House resolution to restrict Trump's war powers. Lawler defended the strikes as within the President's authority and necessary to counter US adversaries. A recent Emerson College poll found that 52% of district voters opposed US military action in Iran, while 37% supported it. Conley's campaign and Democratic groups have since attacked Lawler over the war and its economic costs, with the poll showing Conley leading Lawler by 48% to 46%.",
  "summary": "US President Donald Trump ’s war against Iran has emerged as a liability for Republicans before next week’s midterm elections, including for several prominent hawks on foreign affairs committees. Democrats are linking Republican support for the Iran war to higher fuel prices and what they say is Mr Trump's lack of a clear plan to end the conflict. The approach has found a receptive audience as…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Report: US tells Gulf allies to prepare for Iran strikes after midterms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/report-us-tells-gulf-allies-to-prepare-for-iran-strikes-after-midterms",
        "published": "2026-10-28T02:08:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}