Surging electricity prices have risen to the forefront of the New Jersey governor's race — and could be a key issue in the 2026 midterms.

Nationwide, power prices have risen 6.2 percent over the last year, more than doubling the 2.9 percent inflation rate overall.

In New Jersey, household electricity rates were about 22 percent higher in July than the year before.

In the recent Garden State gubernatorial debate, both candidates mentioned the issue in their opening statements.

“We have an affordability crisis because of property taxes and electricity bills,” said Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli.

“I am laser focused on driving down your costs, making New Jersey more affordable. I’m going to start by declaring a state of emergency on energy costs,” said Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill (N.J.).

Experts say the rising rates are due to both increased demand from new and planned data centers and not enough supply connecting to the grid to meet that demand.

“Governors have limited ability here,” said Arah Schuur, a research specialist at Rutgers University's Center for Urban Policy Research.

Schuur said that PJM, the regional grid operator that is responsible for providing electricity to about a dozen states including New Jersey, “really holds the reins when it comes to bringing on new supply.”

“What PJM does is they run an auction, a competitive auction, based on forecasted demand” for electricity, said Frank Felder, principal at Independent Electricity Consultants and former director of the Rutgers Energy Institute.

Felder said that the potential for new, power-hungry data centers to be built is driving up forecasted demand, and therefore electric prices.

“There's just been a slate of proposed data........

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