Price shocks realign partisan energy views

Energy price spikes and short‑run supply shocks (here, weeks into a U.S.–Iran conflict with higher gasoline prices) can rapidly flip partisan public opinion on whether the country should prioritize fossil fuels or renewables. Pew’s March 2026 survey shows a dramatic six‑year shift among Republicans — from majority support for renewables in 2020 to 71% now favoring oil, coal and natural gas. — If energy price and supply volatility can change party coalitions on energy policy quickly, that alters the political feasibility of clean‑energy legislation and the electoral incentives of both parties.