Tom Emmer tells Jon Karl there are 'communists' on the midterm ballot in heated ABC exchange

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., pushed back against ABC's "This Week" host Jon Karl after he insisted "there aren’t a lot of communists on the ballot" Sunday.

The clash began after Emmer conceded the Republican Party needed to make an effort to lower gas prices ahead of the midterm elections.

"I would say this on that, $4 gas, $6 diesel, entirely unacceptable," Emmer said.

"We Republicans agree on that.

But it’s not enough to vote for communists." "I think most Democrats would say they’re not communists," Karl replied with a chuckle.

"So, there aren’t a lot of communists on the ballot in these midterms." SHOCKING PERCENTAGE OF DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY AS 'DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS' ACCORDING TO NEW POLL: 'TOXIC POLICIES' "Well you’re wrong, they are communists," Emmer interrupted.

Karl conceded that there were "some Democratic socialists" on the ballot and attempted to move on to a new topic, but Emmer rejected the idea.

"Jon, you just called them what they want you to call them.

There’s nothing Democratic about socialism.

For 100 years, they wanted us to call them progressives, when, in fact, they were socialists.

And it wasn’t cool to admit you’re a socialist.

They are now communists and Marxists.

Take a look at the [Democratic Socialists of America] platform," Emmer said.

Karl again attempted to change topics, but Emmer continued.