¶ Overview
Tom Tiffany supported Trump’s war with Iran and later admitted that rising gas prices during the war caused “a bit of a slump” in his gubernatorial polling. When confronted about higher gas prices and growing frustration with Trump, Tiffany dodged blaming Trump and said you would have to ask “the man on the street” why people were upset. Despite acknowledging those concerns, Tiffany later voted against a resolution directing the president to end U.S. military involvement in Iran without congressional authorization.
Trump’s war with Iran triggered one of the largest gas price increases in the country for Wisconsinites, with prices rising more than 68 percent after the conflict began. Experts also warned prices could continue rising through the summer and potentially reach record highs before Labor Day.
As Wisconsin families faced rising gas, grocery, and fertilizer costs during the Iran war, Tiffany dismissed “affordability” concerns as a “buzzword.” Experts warned the Iran war and rising fuel and fertilizer costs could increase grocery and beef prices across Wisconsin, making everyday costs even less affordable for Wisconsin families.
Wisconsin farmers and milk haulers also warned the Iran war drove up fuel and fertilizer costs and increased financial pressure across the state. Record diesel prices and rising fertilizer costs threatened farmers’ bottom lines during planting season.
¶ Tom Tiffany Supported Trump’s War In Iran
¶ Tiffany Backed Trump’s War In Iran
February 28, 2026: Tiffany Expressed Support For U.S. “Precision Strikes” In Iran, And Said His Thoughts Were With American Forces In The Region. According to Tiffany’s Twitter, “My thoughts are with the brave U.S. forces carrying out these precision strikes and with the safety of American personnel in the region.”
[Twitter, @RepTiffany, 2/28/26]
February 28, 2026: The U.S. Launched Strikes Against Iran And Iran Retaliated Against American Military Bases. According to the New York Times, "Feb. 28: The United States and Israel launched strikes across Iran, hitting a government compound in Tehran and military targets. The blasts killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the nation’s supreme leader for almost 37 years, as well as other high-level military and intelligence leaders. At least 175 people, most of them likely children, were killed in a strike on a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran, health officials and Iranian state media said. The strike was a targeting mistake by the U.S. military, according to U.S. officials familiar with a military investigation. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at Israel and at U.S. military bases in the region, including in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates." [New York Times, 5/2/26]
¶ Wisconsin Gas Prices Surged During The Iran War
¶ May 2026: Wisconsinites Were Paying An Average Of $4.46 Per Gallon, A More Than 68% Increase From Before The Iran War Began
¶ Gas Prices In Wisconsin Increased To An Average Of $4.46 Per Gallon, Increasing More Than 68 Percent Since The Iran War Began
AAA: As Of May 21, 2026, Wisconsinites Were Paying An Average Of $4.46 For Gas. According to AAA,
[AAA, Accessed 5/21/26]
As Of April 30, 2026: Wisconsin Gas Prices Increased To $4.17 Per Gallon, Up 48 Cents In One Week And $1.20 Compared To The Previous Year. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, "According to data from AAA, the average price per gallon of regular gasoline in Wisconsin was $4.17 on Thursday, up 48 cents from a week ago and $1.20 from one year ago. Meanwhile, the national average was $4.30, up 27 cents from a week ago and $1.12 from one year ago. [...] Prices haven’t been this high since the summer of 2022, when the average price of regular gasoline in Wisconsin hit a record-high of $4.92 per gallon, according to AAA." [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/30/26]
¶ Wisconsinites Experienced More Than A 68 Percent Gas Increase Since The Iran War Began
Center For American Progress: Wisconsinites Experienced One Of The Largest Gas Price Increases In The Country After Prices Rose More Than 68 Percent Since The Iran War Began. According to the Center for American Progress, "Gas prices have increased steeply in every state since the war began, as shown in Table 2. As of May 18, the price of regular gas exceeded $5 in seven states [...] The largest increases occurred in Wisconsin (68.7 percent), Illinois (65.9 percent), and Utah (65.9 percent). The Trump administration has also moved to weaken federal fuel economy standards that would have required new vehicles to become more fuel efficient over time, framing the change as a way to lower vehicle costs and ease burdens on automakers." [Center For American Progress, 5/18/26]
¶ Wisconsin Gas Prices Could Continue Rising And Potentially Reach Record Highs Before Labor Day
As Of May 20, 2026: Wisconsin Gas Prices Could Continue Rising Through The Summer And Potentially Reach Record Highs Before Labor Day. According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Don't expect much relief at the gas pump before Memorial Day. In fact, prices in Wisconsin may only get higher as the summer goes on. A new analysis from GasBuddy predicts the Strait of Hormuz closure, domestic refinery maintenance cycles, hurricane season and declining oil inventories could all push gas prices to record highs by Labor Day if there are no substantial changes." [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5/20/26]
¶ Before The Iran War Began, Wisconsinites Were Paying An Average Gas Price Of $2.68
February 2026: Wisconsinites Were Paying $2.68 For Gas, Before The Iran War Began. According to the Center for American Progress,
[Center For American Progress, 5/18/26]
¶ The Iran War Drove Up Fuel And Fertilizer Costs, Increasing Financial Pressure On Wisconsin Farmers
¶ Wisconsin Farmers Warned Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Threatened Their Financial Stability
¶
Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Increased Financial Pressure On Wisconsin Farmers
March 2026: Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Director Of National Affairs Tyler Wenzlaff Warned Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Could Make 2026 “Far Worse” For Wisconsin Farmers After Many Faced Negative Margins In 2025. According to Channel 3000, "These rising costs come at a particularly challenging time for Wisconsin's agricultural sector. Farmers are still recovering from 2025, when many operations experienced negative margins on each acre they planted. Tyler Wenzlaff, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Director of National Affairs, said the current situation threatens to make 2026 even more difficult for the state's farmers. ‘Farmers just came off of 2025 where they faced negative margins for each acre they planted. So, 2026 is shaping up to be far worse,' Wenzlaff said. 'Wisconsin farmers, they're optimistic. But even the most optimistic of the bunch, looking at what's coming forward and what's happened so far, they're going to be faced with some very difficult decisions. And it's going to be very tough for them moving forward.' The war's impact on crude oil and fertilizer markets creates a dual challenge for agricultural operations. Both commodities are essential for modern farming operations, and its increased costs directly affect farmers' ability to maintain production levels while remaining financially viable. As the conflict continues, Wisconsin farmers find themselves dealing with another significant financial burden on top of existing budgetary constraints, forcing difficult decisions about their operations' future viability." [Channel 3000, 3/25/26]
¶ Wisconsin Farm Owner Isaiah Skenandore Warned “The Price Of Diesel Is At A Record High” And Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs Were Hurting His Farm’s Bottom Line During Planting Season
May 2026: Record High Diesel Prices Increased 75 Percent To $5.84 Per Gallon While Rising Fertilizer Costs Hurt Wisconsin Farmers’ Bottom Lines And Increased Financial Pressure On Farms Like Skenandore Farm During Planting Season. According to WBAY, “At Skenandore Farm in Seymour, the work hasn’t slowed down, but the cost of doing it has gone up. With diesel and fertilizer prices rising, some Wisconsin farmers say the war in Iran is adding new pressure to an already tough economy. ‘The price of diesel is at a record high. It’s something that affects every farmer in the area, especially at this time when everyone is out planting and getting crops in the ground,’ said Isaiah Skenandore, owner of Skenandore Farm. Diesel prices are up 75 percent, reaching an all-time high in Wisconsin of $5.84 per gallon. Skenandore says that’s close to double what he paid last year. ‘For us, it’s going to impact the bottom line. It will impact the price of the hay,’ Skenandore said. ‘The price of fertilizer is still high and is continuing to go up. For us, that affects us. We put it on our hay fields. We soil sample so we don’t have to put too much fertilizer out, but it’s still going to affect us in our bottom line.’" [WBAY, 5/15/26]
¶ Wisconsin Milk Haulers Warned Soaring Diesel Prices During The Iran War Increased Costs For Businesses That Relied On Daily Fuel Deliveries
April 2026: Wisconsin Milk Hauler Tim Neubauer Warned Soaring Diesel Prices During The Iran War Increased Financial Pressure On Businesses That Relied On Daily Fuel Deliveries. According to Urban Milwaukee, "Just like regular gas prices, the price of diesel has skyrocketed over the past month in response to the war in Iran. But many Wisconsin businesses don’t have the option to cut back on fuel purchases, including milk haulers like Tim Neubauer in Sparta. ‘We haul milk every day of the year,’ said Neubauer, whose business operates 38 milk trucks throughout Monroe County. ‘We have to fill our trucks with fuel every day, and we’re just at the mercy of the price of diesel fuel.’" [Urban Milwaukee, 4/3/26]
¶ Tiffany Knew Wisconsinites Were Upset About Rising Gas Prices During The Iran War But Still Backed Continued U.S. Military Involvement In Iran
May 2026: Tiffany Acknowledged Voters Were Upset About Rising Gas Prices And The Iran War Before Voting Against Ending U.S. Military Involvement In Iran
HEADLINE: “Tom Tiffany Says U.S. Must End War With Iran Just Hours Before Voting To Continue Operations" [Civic Media, 5/16/26]
VIDEO: May 14, 2026: Tom Tiffany Said You Would Have To Ask “The Man On The Street” Why People Were Upset With President Trump Over The Iran War And Higher Gas Prices. According to Tom Tiffany on DrydenWire, "HOST: All right. So that leads into this question from Carries, why are folks mad at President Trump over gas prices? Is it because of the war in Iran? TIFFANY: I think. I mean, you'd have to ask the man on the street. But I mean, what I hear from people, it's some people are disappointed that there is this conflict that's going on in Iran. And. And then to have the offshoot of it be the uncertainty that leads to higher gas prices. And people are disappointed in those two things. That's why people do not why some people are unhappy with that. But that's why I say wrap it up, let's get back home, take care of business at home, and let's get those gas prices back down." [Tom Tiffany, DrydenWire, 5/14/26] (VIDEO)
May 14, 2026: Tom Tiffany Said The War With Iran “Needs To End” Hours Before Congress Voted On Continuing The War. According to Civic Media, "Just hours before the deciding vote in Congress to continue the war with Iran, Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor Tom Tiffany stated the war needs to end. Tiffany, the U.S. congressman for the state’s 7th district, appeared May 14 on the DrydenWire podcast. He was asked by Ben Dryden about the ongoing war in Iran." [Civic Media, 5/16/26]
May 14, 2026: Tiffany Voted Against A Resolution Directing The President To End U.S. Military Involvement In Iran Without Congressional Authorization. According to Congressional Quarterly, "This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran or any part of its government or military no later than March 30, 2026, unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself, its Armed Forces, its diplomatic facilities, or allied states from imminent attack." The vote was on passage. The House rejected the concurrent resolution by a vote of 212 to 212. [House Vote 170, 5/14/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/14/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.75]
¶ Tiffany Brushed Off “Affordability” Concerns As A “Buzzword” While The Iran War Drove Up Gas And Grocery Prices For Wisconsin Families
¶ During The Iran War That Increased Costs Across Wisconsin, Tom Tiffany Dismissed “Affordability” Concerns As A “Buzzword”
VIDEO: April 2026: Tom Tiffany Dismissed “Affordability” Concerns As A “Buzzword.” According to Tiffany during an interview with AOL News, "You hear that term affordability, which is the buzzword everybody's using these days." [Tom Tiffany, AOL News, 4/16/26] (VIDEO)
¶
Food Economist David Ortega Warned Rising Fuel And Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Could Further Strain The Food Supply Chain And Reduce Crop Yields
HEADLINE: "Your Grocery Bill Could Get Even More Expensive As Fuel Prices Climb" [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/13/26]
April 2026: Food Economist David Ortega Warned The Iran War And Rising Fuel Prices Could Increase Grocery Costs Across Wisconsin And Further Strain The Food Supply Chain. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, "David Ortega, food economist and professor at Michigan State University, said diesel fuel is critical up and down the food supply chain. [...] U.S. food prices are expected to increase again this year, as market pressures like the war in Iran squeeze the supply chain from farm to grocery store. The latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows ‘food at home’ prices are expected to increase 3.1 percent in 2026. The forecast is nearly double USDA’s projection at the start of the year. At least part of the increase in inflation is due to the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting spike in oil and gas prices." [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/13/26]
April 2026: Food Economist David Ortega Warned Rising Fertilizer Costs During The Iran War Could Reduce Crop Yields And Further Increase Beef Prices. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, “Impacts from the war could also start to compound over time, Ortega said. For example, the increased cost of oil-derived nitrogen fertilizer could prompt farmers to apply less on their fields this season. Lower crop yields in the fall will mean less feed for livestock and could drive up the cost of beef, which already hit record highs in 2025.” [Wisconsin Public Radio, 4/13/26]
¶ Tiffany Complained The Iran War And Rising Gas Prices Created “A Bit Of A Slump” In His Gubernatorial Polling
¶ Tom Tiffany Claimed Rising Gas Prices During The Iran War Hurt His Gubernatorial Campaign Polling
May 2026: Tom Tiffany Said Rising Gas Prices During The Iran War Contributed To “A Bit Of A Slump” In His Gubernatorial Campaign Polling. According to Tom Tiffany on John Solomon Reports, "We sure hope that it is this election cycle. One of the things that we're seeing in our polling is that while especially with the Iran conflict going on, gas prices having gone up, that there's a bit of a slump that's going on here." [Tom Tiffany, John Solomon Reports, 5/1/26]