Former NC Gov. McCrory: Economy Will Drive Senate Race Over Iran War
Former Gov. Pat McCrory warns that rising gas prices and economic stress from the Iran war will decide North Carolina’s pivotal Senate race, not foreign policy.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Former Governor Pat McCrory warned that economic concerns, not the ongoing war in Iran, will determine the outcome of North Carolina’s closely watched U.S. Senate race this fall, criticizing the Trump administration’s communication strategy seven weeks into the conflict.
Speaking on C-SPAN’s “Ceasefire” program over the weekend, the Charlotte Republican said North Carolina families were already experiencing economic stress before the war began. Gas prices in the state have increased by more than one dollar per gallon since the conflict started seven weeks ago.
Economic Pain Could Shift Control of Congress
“It’s up to the administration with the help of Congress to communicate what pain we might go through with this war,” McCrory said. “But also explain, if we go through this pain, we stop future pain that might occur.”
Without a clear explanation from the Trump administration, McCrory believes voters could shift control of Congress from Republicans to Democrats in the 2026 midterms. He said the administration is doing a poor job explaining why the country entered the Iran war and how it might be resolved.
“That’s going to impact the midterms, especially every time you fill up your gas tank,” McCrory said. “Now, a lot of things can happen between now and November, which could completely reverse it, but right now, there is just total chaos.”
Criticism of Trump’s Social Media Communication
McCrory specifically criticized President Donald Trump’s use of social media to communicate about the war. “The President deserves criticism for communicating with America and the world on Truth Social at two o’clock in the morning. That is no way to communicate to people,” he said.
On April 7, Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, “A whole civilization will die tonight.” McCrory called this language unhelpful during the current crisis.
The situation escalated further on Sunday when peace talks broke down. Trump subsequently announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and threatened that any Iranian who fires at the U.S. will be “BLOWN TO HELL!”
Political Implications for North Carolina
McCrory’s comments come as North Carolina prepares for what observers consider one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races in the country. The former governor suggested that economic conditions, particularly rising gas prices affecting daily life, will have more influence on voters than foreign policy considerations.
The warning reflects broader Republican concerns about maintaining control of Congress amid economic pressures from the Iran conflict. McCrory emphasized that while circumstances could change significantly before November, the current economic uncertainty poses challenges for the party in power.
