Rhode Island Governor Faces Strong Primary Challenge Amid Low Approval Ratings
Incumbent Gov. Daniel McKee leads a primary contest against businesswoman Helena Foulkes, while Providence mayor Brett Smiley also confronts a progressive challenger, as both races draw heightened attention in the state.
Rhode Island voters will head to the polls on Wednesday for a Democratic primary that pits incumbent Gov. Daniel McKee against Helena Foulkes, a former CVS pharmacy executive. An Emerson College poll released earlier this week showed Foulkes leading McKee by 15 points, though 25 percent of respondents remained undecided. McKee, who assumed the governorship in 2021 after serving as lieutenant governor, has seen his approval slip to the third-lowest among U.S. governors, according to Morning Consult data.
The governor’s standing has been affected by the prolonged closure and cost overruns of the Washington Bridge, a project now projected to cost $427 million and finish in November 2028, well beyond its original schedule and budget. University of Rhode Island professor emeritus Maureen Moakley said the bridge issue has contributed to voter dissatisfaction.
Foulkes, who has not previously held elected office, is leveraging her family’s political connections and endorsements, including one from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Her campaign focuses on housing affordability, a proposed “Millionaire’s Tax” to fund the construction of more than 20,000 homes, and higher Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Political science professor Adam Myers of Providence College noted that the contest appears to be a referendum on McKee’s performance rather than a clear policy showdown, adding that voters view Foulkes as a more competent alternative.
In the Providence mayoral race, first-term Mayor Brett Smiley faces a primary challenge from State Representative David Morales, a democratic socialist endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna. Morales advocates for rent-stabilization measures and other progressive policies, while Smiley has warned that his opponent seeks to defund the police, a claim Morales denies.
The Cook Political Report rates the upcoming general election as solidly Democratic, with Republicans Aarron Guckian and Elaine Pelino competing for their party’s nomination. Analysts suggest that if either incumbent loses, it could signal a significant shift in Rhode Island’s political landscape.