Ohio's 9th Congressional District, centered on Toledo, is one of the most closely watched House races of the midterms.

NPR's Scott Simon visited diners, machine shops and street corners there. One worry came up again and again: the price of gas. "Oh, the cost of gas is outrageous," said William Watkins. He voted for President Donald Trump two years ago. "I'm regretting my vote right now," he said. Another voter, Thomas Hamilton, said gas had topped $4 a gallon. His car broke down, and now he rides the bus.

The seat is held by Democrat Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in congressional history. She faces what could be the toughest race of her career, The Guardian reported.

Last month Kaptur released an ad in which she speaks straight to the camera. "I voted with Republicans to keep transgender ideology out of our schools because parents know what's best for their kids, and boys should not play in girls' sports," she says.

The ad caused a stir. Two county Democratic parties in her district asked her to take it down. The head of the country's largest LGBTQ+ rights group said it would not back her campaign. A former intern wrote that he was "embarrassed" to have worked for her.

For Kaptur, breaking with her party may be needed to win a district Trump carried. Democrats nationally need only a few seats to take the House.

High fuel prices are a big issue across the country. Diesel hit a record in September. President Trump's new deal for Russian diesel is aimed partly at bringing those prices down before Nov. 3.

What we know: Ohio's 9th District is one of the most contested House races this fall.
What we don't: how the ad backlash and gas prices will move voters.