Rhode Island voters chose a new Democratic nominee for governor on Wednesday, ousting two‑term incumbent Dan McKee in a closely watched primary. Businesswoman Helena Foulkes, a former senior executive at CVS Health and current Costco board member, secured the nomination with a clear margin over McKee.
Background on the candidates
Governor McKee first assumed office in 2021 after then‑Governor Gina Raimondo left to become U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Biden administration. He won a full term in 2022 after a crowded Democratic primary that also featured Foulkes. McKee’s tenure has been marked by efforts to modernize state infrastructure and manage the COVID‑19 response, though critics have highlighted the prolonged closure of the Washington Bridge, which began in December 2023 and remains under reconstruction.
Helena Foulkes brings decades of private‑sector experience. After rising through the ranks at Rhode Island‑based CVS Health, she served as CEO of the Hudson’s Bay Company and now sits on Costco’s board of directors. Her 2026 campaign is her second run for elected office, following a narrow loss to McKee in the 2022 primary.
Primary results and implications
Election officials reported that Foulkes defeated McKee by a comfortable margin, ending his bid for a second full term. The loss makes McKee the first sitting governor nationwide to be denied his party’s nomination since Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer’s defeat in the 2018 GOP primary.
Foulkes is now positioned as the Democratic favorite heading into the November general election, where she will face the winner of the Republican primary between Aaron Guckian, the 2022 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and retired business executive Elaine Pelino.
Campaign themes
During the primary, Foulkes criticized McKee’s handling of state government, focusing on the Washington Bridge closure and suggesting the administration had been slow to address critical infrastructure needs. McKee, in turn, defended his record and attacked Foulkes’ corporate background, arguing that her long tenure at CVS tied her to the company’s controversial handling of prescription opioids.
Both candidates emphasized their commitment to Rhode Island families and the state’s economic future, but their differing perspectives on government management and private‑sector experience defined the race.
What’s next
With the Democratic nominee decided, the focus now shifts to the Republican primary and the upcoming general election. Rhode Island voters will evaluate how each candidate plans to address infrastructure, economic development, and public‑health challenges as the state moves toward the 2026 midterm elections.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
