Elections
Rhode Island holds primary as Gov. McKee faces strong challenge from Foulkes
PN Team • 2 months ago
Rhode Island voters went to the polls Wednesday in primaries for governor and other federal, state and local offices. Gov. Dan McKee, who ascended to office in 2021 and won a full term in 2022, faces a tough Democratic challenge from Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a former CVS executive who finished a close second in the 2022 primary. Foulkes has outraised and outspent McKee and has led him in independent polling throughout the year, though many voters remained undecided heading into the vote. A loss would make McKee the first elected Rhode Island governor to lose renomination since 1994.
The race has centered on McKee's handling of the Washington Bridge closure and reconstruction, now delayed until 2028, and a 2024 investigation finding he improperly intervened in a state contract award, though no laws were found broken. McKee has attacked Foulkes over CVS's alleged role in the opioid crisis. In the Republican primary, party-endorsed Aaron Guckian faces Elaine Pelino. Rhode Island hasn't elected a Republican governor in 20 years.
Sources:
Sentiment
- Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic primary is the central event, mentioned factually without reflecting on the party itself.
- Republican Party (United States) The Republican primary is mentioned factually, noting the party hasn't won the governorship in 20 years.
- Rhode Island Rhode Island is the setting of the primary election, described factually without reputational tilt.