Apr 8: Gas Hits $4.16 Nationally
01_front_matter04_senate_races
This Week's Headlines
- Two polls from MPRC dated April 7, 2026 cover both the Democratic primary and general election matchups. In the Democratic primary, Platner leads Mills 61% to 28% (Platner +33). In the general election, Platner leads incumbent Sen. Collins 48% to 39% (Platner +9). In a separate general matchup, Collins leads Mills 45% to 42% (Collins +3). Sample sizes were not reported. Inside Elections rates Maine as Tilt R. Sabato's Crystal Ball rates Maine as Tilt R as of March 4, 2026.
- A Quantus Insights poll dated April 7, 2026 shows Democrat Cooper leading Republican Whatley 49% to 44% (Cooper +5). Sample size not reported. Inside Elections rates North Carolina as Toss-up. No additional ratings changes reported in the past 14 days.
- An Emerson College poll dated April 7, 2026 shows Republican Moody leading Democrat Nixon 47% to 36% (Moody +11). Sample size not reported. No ratings data from major forecasters reported in this window.
- DOGE.gov (accessed April 8, 2026) reports agencies terminated 141 wasteful contracts with a ceiling value of $5.1 billion and estimated savings of $498 million in the most recent 7-day period, plus 312 additional contracts with a ceiling of $2.8 billion and savings of $470 million. Cited examples include a $526,000 USAID contract and a $286,000 DoD contract for a Harvard course. DOGE cumulative total estimated savings are reported as $215 billion ($1,335 per taxpayer). A Government Executive commentary (April 2026) cites a report from former federal employees arguing for specific efficiency reforms, reflecting continued criticism that DOGE conflates cost-cutting with effectiveness. The foundational DOGE Executive Order (White House, January 2025) set a DOGE termination date of July 4, 2026; no extensions have been announced.
Dashboard Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Gas (nat'l avg) | $4.164/gal |
| Gas (EIA) | $4.12/gal |
| Brent Crude | $127.61/bbl |
| S&P 500 | 6,616.85 |
| Unemployment | 4.3% |
| 10-Yr Treasury | 4.34% |
| UMich Sentiment | 56.6 |
| Generic Ballot | D+5.8 |
| Trump Approval | Net -14.9 |
| Iran War Approval | Net -15.1 |
What Changed
- senate_maine
- Two polls from MPRC dated April 7, 2026 cover both the Democratic primary and general election matchups. In the Democratic primary, Platner leads Mills 61% to 28% (Platner +33). In the general election, Platner leads incumbent Sen. Collins 48% to 39% (Platner +9). In a separate general matchup, Collins leads Mills 45% to 42% (Collins +3). Sample sizes were not reported. Inside Elections rates Maine as Tilt R. Sabato's Crystal Ball rates Maine as Tilt R as of March 4, 2026.
- senate_north_carolina
- A Quantus Insights poll dated April 7, 2026 shows Democrat Cooper leading Republican Whatley 49% to 44% (Cooper +5). Sample size not reported. Inside Elections rates North Carolina as Toss-up. No additional ratings changes reported in the past 14 days.
- senate_florida_special
- An Emerson College poll dated April 7, 2026 shows Republican Moody leading Democrat Nixon 47% to 36% (Moody +11). Sample size not reported. No ratings data from major forecasters reported in this window.
- doge
- DOGE.gov (accessed April 8, 2026) reports agencies terminated 141 wasteful contracts with a ceiling value of $5.1 billion and estimated savings of $498 million in the most recent 7-day period, plus 312 additional contracts with a ceiling of $2.8 billion and savings of $470 million. Cited examples include a $526,000 USAID contract and a $286,000 DoD contract for a Harvard course. DOGE cumulative total estimated savings are reported as $215 billion ($1,335 per taxpayer). A Government Executive commentary (April 2026) cites a report from former federal employees arguing for specific efficiency reforms, reflecting continued criticism that DOGE conflates cost-cutting with effectiveness. The foundational DOGE Executive Order (White House, January 2025) set a DOGE termination date of July 4, 2026; no extensions have been announced.