# Midterm voters worry about climate but candidates ignore it

> Midterm candidates silence climate concerns despite voter demand for action.
- Title: Midterm voters worry about climate but candidates ignore it
- Summary: Midterm candidates silence climate concerns despite voter demand for action. Voters in eight swing states want more climate discussion, but candidates avoid…
- Keywords: climate change, midterm elections, voter concerns, political candidates, fossil fuels, inflation, iran war, senate races, renewable energy, energy policy, political silence, climate hushing
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/midterms-issues-voters-climate-change-hushing-candidates-not-addressing
- Author: Oliver Milman
- Published: 2026-10-19T07:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: climate change, midterm elections, voter concerns, political candidates, fossil fuels, inflation, iran war, senate races, renewable energy, energy policy, political silence, climate hushing
## Midterm climate silence
Most Americans feel unease about climate crisis but candidates respond with near silence ahead of midterms.
## Record hot summer and costs
US endured record hot summer with $2,000 per household extra energy and mortgage payments due to fossil fuel dependence.
## Climate hushing in campaigns
Democratic Senate candidates in eight battleground states avoid mentioning 'climate' on campaign websites.
## Voter demand for climate action
Three times as many voters want politicians to talk more about climate crisis than less.
## Environmental Voter Project poll
Poll shows majority of voters in swing states support candidates prioritizing clean energy transition.
## Texas climate shift
54 percent of Texas voters say they’d vote for pro-renewables candidate versus 19 percent less likely.
## Alaska climate support
63 percent of Alaska voters say they’d back campaign prioritizing clean energy transition.
## Texas candidate Talarico
Talarico, a Texas Democratic Senate candidate, supports oil and gas industry and calls himself a 'vaygan' (vegan).
## Trump's climate comments
Trump called Talarico 'Tofu Talarico' and claimed he throws up after eating steak.
## Florida candidate Nixon
Florida Democrat Angie Nixon mentions climate vulnerability and worries about rising seas for future generations.
## Climate hushing strategy
Politicians claim climate discussion will lose votes but polls show it’s a major vote-winner.
## Disaster survivors' frustration
Survivors of Texas floods express frustration that politicians ignore their climate concerns.
## El Niño climate event
Developing El Niño event will accelerate extreme heat and flooding risk in parts of US.
## Political indifference
Survivors say politicians see climate issues as 'weather, this is life' rather than urgent problems.
## Key takeaway

Voters in eight swing states want more climate discussion, but candidates avoid the topic to focus on inflation and Iran.