CINCINNATI — Inflation has affected the Ohio economy and consumer spending, and Ohioans hope to vote for the best candidates in the primary election to address the issue. 

Delhi Township resident Laura Secrist has lived in Ohio for four years, and in those four years she said food prices are significantly higher than even just last summer. 

“It’s about a 25% increase,” said Secrist. “So it’s a pretty good increase, but I haven’t noticed a big change to my budget.”

Gas prices are yet another concern for her. As of Tuesday, the average price of gas in Cincinnati is $4.26, according to AAA. 

“We have places around here that gas is 60 cents higher than normal, than the rest of the state,” she said. 

Secrist was among dozens to vote in her precinct at Delshire Elementary on Tuesday. She made it her point to vote for Democratic candidates, though she was disappointed that some were running unopposed.

“It was like you voted for them and that was it, so I didn’t like that,” Secrist said. “I think you should run with an opposition.”

Cincinnati resident Cathy Moser said she can also attest to the higher gas prices. She’s out of work because of medical issues, but said she can only imagine how costly the daily commute would be.

“Just thinking if I had to go to work every day and have to put $60 worth of gas in my car, that takes a big chunk taken out of my paycheck,” she said. 

As a Republican, Moser threw her support for GOP candidates. However, she said, she hasn’t heard too many of them address those issues. 

“All I’ve been seeing is that person, or this person, slinging their names and what they’ve done in the past,” she said. “And they haven’t really said or taken a stance on inflation.”