North Fulton Today

Blake Harbin, a Republican candidate for the congressional district that includes Marietta, said in a tweet that President Joe Biden's policies are the primary cause behind the spike in gas prices that have not topped out yet.

Analysts predict the national average price of a gallon of gas will surpass $6 by August.

"The average price of gas is now expected to hit $6 per gallon by August,” Harbin tweeted. “It’s because of Biden’s assault on American energy. Not a ‘Putin price hike,’ ‘ultra MAGA,’ or any other excuse. He has caused the pain you’re feeling at the pump."

JPMorgan analysts recently predicted as part of a Fox Business report that the national average price of a gallon of gas will surge of 37% between now and the end of the summer, which would put the national average at $6.20 per gallon. Gas prices have already passed $6 in some areas of the country, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. 

The national average isn’t that scary yet, at $4.57 per gallon on Wednesday, and Georgia’s gas prices averaged $4.146 per gallon in Georgia on Friday, according to AAA, up from $2.95 one year ago. Diesel is averaging $5.266 per gallon, up from $3.079 one year ago. 

Harbin is going up against multiple GOP challengers in Tuesday’s primary election for Georgia's 6th Congressional District. Opponents include Byron Gatewood, Rich McCormick and Mallory Staples, according to Ballotpedia. The winner will move on to the general election on Nov. 8. 

Gas prices are not the only things going up. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its latest Consumer Price Index summary on May 11, showing that in April, prices had increased by 8.3% over the last 12-month period. Costs rose by 0.3% in April this year after increasing by 1.2% in March. Food prices rose by 0.9% in April. Food costs have increased by 9.4% in the last 12 months, representing the largest rise in prices since 1982. In the last 12 months, the price of new vehicles rose by 13.2%, while the price of used vehicles rose by 22.7%.