Helena Foulkes Defeats Incumbent Governor Dan McKee in Rhode Island Democratic Primary

Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes defeated incumbent Governor Dan McKee in the Democratic primary for governor of Rhode Island on Wednesday. This result marks a rare primary loss for a sitting governor; McKee is the first incumbent from either party to lose a gubernatorial primary in eight years. The race was heavily influenced by voter frustration over the partial closure of the Washington Bridge in Providence. The westbound lanes of the bridge were closed in 2023 due to structural failure concerns, and the project is not expected to be finished until November 2028.

Foulkes previously lost a narrow primary battle against McKee in 2022. McKee first took office in 2021 after being elevated from lieutenant governor when Gina Raimondo resigned to join the Biden administration. During the campaign, Foulkes criticized McKee's performance and his handling of state infrastructure. An August poll from the University of New Hampshire showed that 80 percent of Rhode Islanders disapproved of McKee's job performance, citing transportation and infrastructure as the primary reason.

While both candidates offered a mainstream vision of liberal governance, they differed in their campaign rhetoric. During a recent debate, McKee accused Foulkes of disparaging the state, to which she responded that she was disparaging the governor. Democrats remain favored in the general election in the blue state, though third party candidate Ken Block is considered a wildcard.