Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faces primary challenge as Washington Bridge delays spark voter concern

Incumbent Democratic Governor Dan McKee is contesting a primary challenge from former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes as Rhode Island heads to the ballot on Wednesday. The race has become a focal point for voter frustration over the prolonged closure and reconstruction of the Washington Bridge, which links Providence and East Providence. State officials shut the westbound span in December 2023 after identifying structural deficiencies, and the project’s completion date has been pushed from an initial 2024 target to November 2028.

The bridge, which previously carried about 100,000 vehicles daily, now forces both directions of traffic onto a reconfigured eastbound span with reduced lanes. McKee and Foulkes are debating the bidding process and the speed of the rebuild, with the governor defending his administration’s handling while criticizing his opponent as a corporate outsider.

Campaign finance records show Foulkes has raised roughly twice as much as McKee for the primary. In addition to the bridge issue, high electricity rates and a shortage of affordable housing are influencing the anti-incumbent mood among voters.

The Democratic primary winner is expected to be favored in the November general election, where the Republican field includes trade-association executive Aaron Guckian, who has received the state GOP’s endorsement, and former actress Elaine Pelino.

"The bridge project’s delays have created real hardships for residents," a state spokesperson said.

The primary also coincides with other statewide contests, including a Senate race where long-serving Democratic Senator Jack Reed faces primary challengers, and several congressional races.