Establishment Gov. Dan McKee Faces Grassroots Challenge from Former CVS Executive Helena Foulkes
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Governor Dan McKee, emblematic of entrenched establishment politics, is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Helena Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive whose campaign is fueled by frustration over government serving corporate interests and the elite. The race spotlights the disastrous handling of public infrastructure and the influence of big business in politics.
Governor Dan McKee, 75, a symbol of establishment politics in Rhode Island, is seeking re-election in the Democratic primary on Sept. 9. He faces a vigorous challenge from 62-year-old Helena Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive who has managed to out-raise the incumbent and flood the airwaves with campaign ads. This contest emerges as voters grow increasingly disillusioned with career politicians and the government’s failure to serve ordinary people, exemplified by McKee’s mishandling of the Washington Bridge closure—a project plagued by delays and ballooning costs, leaving working-class communities to bear the brunt.
Foulkes has sharply criticized the state government for serving a 'powerful few,' echoing the widespread sentiment that the political system is rigged for the elite and corporate interests. 'I think that what I’ve really learned in the last four years, in a deeper way, is how much people feel like state government just works with a powerful few,' she said, highlighting the disconnect between government and the needs of everyday Rhode Islanders.
The Washington Bridge, a vital artery for working people, was partially closed in 2023 after a critical failure was discovered. While McKee claims repairs will be completed by 2028 and attempts to deflect blame by referencing projects in other states, political scientist Adam Myers notes that infrastructure failures like this are often the result of government neglect and misplaced priorities, with the public left to suffer the consequences.
In a display of establishment hypocrisy, McKee has attacked Foulkes for her corporate background, attempting to paint her as a profiteer, despite his own administration’s coziness with big business. 'Who’s the option here? It’s a corporate person that the Democrats can’t stand,' he said, ignoring the reality that both candidates have ties to the corporate world.
Foulkes, whose family includes former Connecticut senators Thomas and Chris Dodd, has tried to defend her record by touting CVS’s reduction in opioid dispensing by 40% during her tenure, but this does little to address the broader issue of corporate influence in politics. She also warned that McKee’s attacks could alienate thousands of CVS employees, further highlighting the outsized role of major corporations in the state’s political landscape. 'The 50 largest companies’ business leaders in this state wrote a letter to you, asking you to stop criticizing CVS,' she said during an August debate, underscoring the power of big business.
Both candidates have secured endorsements from various labor groups, but the state Democratic Party and the AFL-CIO have withheld formal backing, reflecting a lack of enthusiasm for either candidate among rank-and-file workers. Whoever wins the primary is expected to be favored in the general election, but the real question remains: will Rhode Island’s government continue to serve the powerful few, or will it finally put people over profits?