Top Democrat Sean Patrik Malponey says families battling inflation have to eat Chef Boyardee

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Sean Patrick Maloney recalled eating Chef Boyardee as a child when prices were rising - and 'that's what families have to do' when times are hard.

The Democratic Rep. from Hudson Valley in New York told Halston Media in late October that his family of eight turned to the canned pasta products  when gas prices were rising.

Cans of Chey Boyardee's Beefaroni, Mini Ravioli and Lasagna sell for $1.24 on Walmart's website.

Maloney, the man charged with keeping the Democrats in power in the House, is facing a tough race against Republican Assemblyman Mike Lawler. The non-partisan Cook Report has the race as a toss-up and when results come in on Tuesday, it could signify how the Democrats could do across the country.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Sean Patrick Maloney recalled eating Chef Boyardee as a child when prices were rising - and 'that's what families have to do' when times are hard

Projections have Republicans sweeping the House as Democrats face accusations they have focused more on issues such as abortion and dangers to democracy than the economy - which polls show is the top concern for Americans in these elections. 

'Hudson Valley residents are feeling pain at the pump and at grocery stores, what have you done and what do you plan to do to help solve our inflation problem?,' Maloney was asked during the interview published on October 27. 

'Yeah, well, I grew up in a family where, you know, if the gas price went up, the food budget went down,' Maloney responded. 

'So by this time of the week, we'd be eating Chef Boyardee if that budget wasn't gonna change. So that's what families have to do, here's what we should do.' 

Maloney then discussed the actions that he says would lower inflation. Despite rising prices being a top worry of American voters, Democrats have spent ten times as much on abortion campaign commercials.

'We're capping seniors' out-of-pocket costs in the Medicare program. That's a big deal. 

'So now, only $2,000 a year will come out-of-pocket rain or shine,' Maloney said. 'That allows seniors to budget. We're also negotiating, finally, in the Medicare program with the big prescription drug companies to lower the cost of everybody's prescription drugs. That's long overdue'.

Maloney also admitted in the interview that Democrats have a 'likeability problem' and releasing 90 million barrels from the strategic petroleum reserve will help ease the pain at the pump.

'We've got to do more to keep that price from going back up and keep it coming down. And there's other things we can do. 

'We can absolutely bring health insurance premiums down for those on the Affordable Care Act. We've done that,' he added. 'We can pay for these things, by the way, with a tax on big corporations, so they will finally pay what they owe. We finally did that.'

A spokesman for Maloney criticized Lawler for sharing the clip of the interview on social media and 'making light' of families facing struggles.

'Unlike Lawler, who is profiting off his own campaign and made bank lobbying for big oil companies, Rep. Maloney understands what families are dealing with,' the spokesman told Fox News.

Mia Ehrenberg, Maloney's communications director, said on Twitter of Lawler sharing the clip: 'Mike, your desperation is showing. Candidates who are winning don't resort to taking things horribly out of context. How about explaining to voters why you oppose the Inflation Reduction Act which cut prescription drug costs and is lowering energy costs?

Lawler said the comments show Maloney is out of touch with struggling families.

'Sean Maloney's solution to tackling inflation is: let them eat Chef Boyardee!,' Lawler said. 'It shows just how out of touch he is work [sic] the struggles of seniors, working families, and those in need of assistance. Voters understand the only way to fix it, is to fire the very politicians who have created this mess in the first place, which is why Sean Maloney will lose on Election Day!