Shell gas station in Redlands, San Bernardino County, California, on April 11, 2026.
California drivers are once again paying the highest prices at the pump in the nation, setting off a renewed clash between Democrats and Republicans over who is responsible — and what should be done.
The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California hovered around $5.90 this week, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), roughly $1.70 higher than the national average.
The spike follows a broader trend: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that gasoline prices surged more than 20% in March, driving the largest monthly increase in the Consumer Price Index in nearly two years.
As costs climb, political leaders are sharpening their arguments.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has pointed to global instability and federal dynamics as key drivers. Last week, his office posted on X in response to a White House post celebrating falling prices for select consumer goods:
“The White House is celebrating because prices for ‘men’s underwear and accessories are down one-fifth of 1%,” Newsom’s office posted. “Sir, we just want lower gas prices. But big congrats on your underwear accessories?”
The jab underscored Newsom’s broader message: that Californians are feeling pain at the pump despite marginal declines in other consumer costs.
Republicans, however, are placing the blame squarely on state policy.
Speaking on Fox News, former California GOP Chair Jessica Milan Patterson argued that policies instituted by Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in the California Legislature have driven up costs through taxes and regulations.
“We have the highest gas prices in the nation. We pay $1.50 to $2.00 more per gallon than the rest of the country,” Patterson said. “It is because of high gas taxes… special fuel mandates… regulations here in California… real leadership would have said… I would suspend the gas tax tomorrow.”
Democrats counter, arguing that global oil markets, refinery constraints and corporate pricing practices all play a role. Some have pointed to ongoing state efforts to increase oversight of oil companies and penalize excessive profits.
Energy analysts broadly agree that California’s higher taxes and environmental standards contribute to elevated prices, but also note that refinery outages, supply limitations and international conflicts can quickly push costs higher.
With summer travel season approaching and volatility in global oil markets continuing, Californians may face sustained high prices — even as leaders in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. continue to argue over who is responsible for the pain at the pump.
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Article By: Bo Tefu, California Black Media
