Daily Brew: Top 10 primaries update- a twofer in Michigan’s 11th

July 30, 2018

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Plus: Average gasoline prices vary from state to state BONUS: Test your knowledge!

Welcome to the Monday, July 30 Brew. You may notice that today's Daily Brew came to your inbox from Sarah Rosier. I'm Ballotpedia's News Editor and I'll be delivering your daily cup of political news each morning.
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your Monday:

There’s been movement in our Top 10 Primaries list. See what’s been added.
Average gasoline prices vary from state to state. How does your state compare?
Quiz: This time, we look at figures on the Democratic presidential popular vote. Test your knowledge!

A twofer in Michigan’s 11th: Both Democratic and Republican contests have made Ballotpedia’s Top 10 primaries list

With just one week left, Michigan’s 11th Congressional District primaries cracked our top 10 primaries to watch list.

This district has been rated as a toss-up in the November general by elections forecasters. In the last three presidential elections, Donald Trump (R) won in 2016, Mitt Romney (R) won in 2012, and Barack Obama (D) won in 2008. Republican incumbent David Trott is not seeking re-election.

On the Democratic side, leading candidates have been endorsed by groups aligned with various factions within the Democratic Party, including Justice Democrats, the Teamsters, education groups, other labor unions, and scientific organizations.

In the Republican primary, State Sen. Mike Kowall, former Trump state campaign co-chair Lena Epstein, and State Rep. Klint Kesto lead the five-candidate field in fundraising through the first half of 2018.

Our list of top primaries includes primaries for 11 U.S. House seats, five governor’s races, three U.S. Senate seats, and the primary for attorney general of Alabama. The rankings are updated weekly.

Learn more

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Taking a trip in August? Here’s how gas prices differ across the country

Throughout the year we’ve been bringing you stories detailing 50-state comparisons of similar services, such as park fees and liquor licenses. Today, we’ll look at the updated gas prices list.

As of July 25, the average nationwide price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.88. However, the averages in each state ranged from $2.54 (in Alabama and South Carolina) to $3.78 (in Hawaii), a 39.2 percent difference.

Average gasoline prices per gallon equaled or exceeded $3 in the following 11 states and Washington, D.C.:

Hawaii	$3.78
California	$3.63
Washington	$3.41
Alaska	$3.38
Oregon	$3.29
Nevada	$3.20
Idaho	$3.11
Utah	$3.10
Connecticut	$3.07
Pennsylvania	$3.03
District of Columbia	$3.02
New York	$3.00

Gasoline prices are affected by crude oil prices, which are in turn affected by supply and demand, financial markets, international politics, environmental regulation, taxes, weather, and other factors. The cost of gasoline also varies in part due to state and local taxes, the application of which varies by jurisdiction.The first federal tax on gasoline was introduced in 1932. In 1919, Oregon became the first state to levy a tax on gasoline. By 1929, all states levied a tax on gasoline.