By Sharon Bernstein

GARDEN GROVE (Calif.) – Half-dozen young Republican activists stood outside the gazebo. Chevron (NYSE:) Station at busy intersection in Southern California. Jumping up and down, holding large sign that reads, “Gas Too High?” Register Republican

There was a demonstration this week in Garden Grove, Orange County. It attracted lots of supporters and was successful with getting motorists to come over to chat about gas prices.

According to the Republican Party, the Southern California voter registration drive is just one of the many that it holds outside gas stations in order to woo voters and frustrated independents who voted for President Joe Biden (a Democrat) in 2020.

It is widely believed that Republicans will win the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives, possibly the Senate at the November midterm congressional elections. They might be able to get there through voter dissatisfaction at the high prices of gas.

The party is not only looking to turn out its conservative base but also wants to win back moderates that fled Trump’s right-wing nationalism and dramatic turns. It hopes to gain new supporters.

The response to the Garden Grove intersection, which lies in a competitive Republican-leaning congressional District, is clear that it’s not easy.

The group had four people stop by to complete forms. One person claimed that he was homeless and could use his parent’s address. The three others were Republicans while the one independent was already registered.

Ernie Nueva, aged 69, said, “The gas is so expensive because of Biden” when he saw them.

Nueva claims that it costs now $100 to fill up his Nissan Titan V8 truck tank. This is an increase of $60 from before fuel price spikes in California. He is a lifelong Democrat and he voted for Trump twice. Last year, he changed his voter registration from Democrat to Republican.

David Wakefield, who also believes Biden is responsible for high gasoline prices, says that the United States must become more self-sufficient in order to produce more fuel. For family members in Northern California, Idaho, and Utah, Wakefield is contemplating cancelling his planned drive vacation this month.

However, he is also an established Republican voter.

Raphael Sonenshein is the executive director at the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs of California State University Los Angeles. “It’s great in the short term, but it’s unclear how it’s going up in November,” he said.

Sonenshein stated that in recent years the U.S. voter has been more driven by social and cultural divisions than any other policy issue. The high prices of gas are not good news for Democrats but they might not be enough to increase turnout and encourage voters to change parties.

He said that the cost of gasoline might drop before the election which could weaken Republicans’ arguments.

According to economists prices rose as more people traveled and business activity was increased after the pandemic lockdowns were lifted in the United States. It also led to worries about tighter global oil supplies.

These trends were further exacerbated by Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, which shook the world oil markets. The party that is in power tends to be blamed for the economic problems, but some consumers are starting to make Biden or the Democrats the center of their anger.

`IT’S COMPLICATED`

Similar registration drives were conducted by the RNC at California service stations and in other states such as Arizona, North Carolina, and Florida.

Mike Joyce, RNC spokesperson said that the gas station registration drives were successful and attracted people of all political views who are upset about fuel prices.

RNC didn’t provide data on how many voters signed up at these events. It did say, however that it was in the thousands.”Majorities are won in the margins and with every new voter registered, we are one step closer to finally retiring Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer for good,” said RNC Spokesperson Emma Vaughn, referring to the Democratic U.S. House speaker and Senate majority leader.

During the almost four-hour protest at the Chevron Orange County, many motorists loudly supported the small group.

David Duprat (38), a passenger riding in a gas-guzzling car, felt every cent of the rise in gasoline prices. Duprat drives to construction sites, where he lives with a limited budget and also tries to help his mom.

Although he doesn’t fault Biden for the rising gas prices, overall he believes that Democratic policies are responsible for California’s high living costs. While he’s never voted before he will do so as a Republican in November.

He said, “I want my voice to be heard.”

Benjamin Kohn is a liberal Democrat and he feels the increase in gasoline prices. However, he believes that both sides are pushing more nuanced interpretations of events than they are allowing.

He doesn’t intend to switch sides about gas prices and he honked like other motorists on the way out of Chevron. After that, he looked out the window from his minivan.

He yelled “It’s complicated” and drove off.