Ted Cruz Blames Gavin Newsom’s 'Stupid Energy Policies' for Soaring Gas Prices in California

After California Governor Gavin Newsom urged drivers to avoid filling up at Chevron stations ahead of Memorial Day, he was recently blasted by Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Sharing a post on X, Cruz argued that the problem isn't Chevron, but Newsom’s own administration.

Documenting a visit to a Chevron gas station in Texas to fill up his car following the holiday weekend, Cruz noted that he paid less than $4 a gallon.

Following this, The senator accused Newsom of misguiding consumers and shifting the blame for failed state policies onto private businesses.

Last week, Newsom had advised drivers to avoid Chevron stations during the holiday weekend, claiming the company’s “branded” fuel costs more than “unbranded” gas.

He also shared a map showing two Chevron stations in California with higher prices.

In an X post, Newsom wrote, “Californians, if you’re hitting the road this holiday weekend, be sure to AVOID Chevron.”

He added, “Big Oil is already making billions off Trump’s Iran War; don’t let them rip you off even more by overpaying for the brand name.”

The post also dismissed the fuel provider's proprietary additives, adding, “Pro tip: unbranded gas comes from the same refineries, storage tanks, and pipelines, and it meets the same state standards to keep your engine running clean, even if it doesn’t have a fancy name like ‘Techron.’”

However, after his post went viral, Newsom drew criticism from netizens and Republican leaders.

Cruz pushed back against Newsom’s comments and argued that California’s energy policies are the real reason fuel costs remain high in the state.

In his X post, Cruz wrote, “Just filled my tank. In Texas, gas is $3.99 a gallon. Hey Gavin — the problem isn’t Chevron, it’s California’s stupid energy policies.”

As of Wednesday, May 27, AAA reported that the national average for a gallon of gasoline remains $4.459.

However, California currently has the highest average gas prices in the country, with drivers paying an average of $6.094 a gallon.

Meanwhile, Newsom's dig at Chevron came after the oil company launched a campaign blaming state leaders for rising gas prices.

Viral signs posted at Chevron gas stations across California appeared accusing Democratic policies of increasing fuel costs for drivers.

The signs placed at gas pumps read, “Sacramento policies did this. Now you pay more,” and claimed “California politicians are choosing foreign oil and fuels over local jobs and lower costs.”

After these signs led Newsom to clap back, Ross Allen, a spokesperson for Chevron, defended the campaign.

Allen told the New York Post, “We are trying to educate consumers about how politicians are picking their pockets. These environmental fees, taxes, and regulations might be small individually, but cumulatively they are making the cost of living in California much more expensive.”

Allen added, “These are policy choices, it doesn’t have to be like this.”

Later, the criticism against California leaders was also echoed by U.S. Oil and Gas Association President Tim Stewart.

Speaking with the New York Post, he said, “It’s interesting how the politicians who are picked up every morning by a black SUV are experts on gas prices but always fail to recognize the impact their bad decisions actually have on gas prices.”