Providence, Rhode Island – Governor Dan McKee is on the ballot Wednesday, hoping to become the first sitting governor since 2018 to win a primary and secure a second full term. He will be challenged by former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, who is campaigning on the unfinished Washington Bridge project and accusing the administration of favoring a powerful few.
Bridge project dominates the race
The Washington Bridge, a critical link for Interstate 195, was closed in 2023 after officials identified a “critical failure” in an older section. Governor McKee ordered the bridge’s demolition and replacement, a massive undertaking that has taken longer than initially projected. While traffic has been rerouted onto a newer portion of the span, commuters have endured longer travel times and reduced lanes.
McKee emphasizes that the decision kept motorists safe and that the new bridge will be completed by 2028. He points to Maryland’s experience, noting that Rhode Island’s bridge is slated to finish ahead of the larger Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement, which suffered a tragic collapse in 2024.
Foulkes attacks the administration’s record
Helena Foulkes, whose family includes former Connecticut senators Thomas and Chris Dodd, argues that the bridge project’s cost and pace reflect a government that “works with a powerful few.” She also highlights her tenure at CVS, claiming the company cut opioid dispensing by 40% while she led the pharmacy division. Critics note that CVS later settled nationwide opioid lawsuits for $5 billion, though the settlement occurred after Foulkes left the company.
In response, Governor McKee characterizes Foulkes as an out‑of‑touch elite who ignored the opioid crisis during her corporate career. He stresses his own record of “working people” and delivering tangible results for Rhode Islanders.
Historical context and the stakes
Incumbent governors rarely lose party primaries. The last Rhode Island governor to fall in a primary was Bruce Sundlun in 1994. Nationally, the most recent incumbent to lose a primary was Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer in 2018.
McKee has served as governor since 2021, stepping in after former Gov. Gina Raimondo became U.S. Secretary of Commerce. His administration has focused on public safety, infrastructure, and economic stability, positioning the bridge project as a hallmark of responsible governance.
Other races on the ballot
The Republican gubernatorial primary features Aaron Guckian, a state trade‑association executive, and Elaine Pelino, a former actor. Guckian won his 2022 lieutenant‑governor primary with about 68% of the vote and has the state party’s endorsement.
Rhode Island’s primary is being held on a Wednesday after lawmakers moved the date to avoid a clash with Labor Day. Only four states—Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Delaware—hold September primaries, making this a key early test for candidates ahead of the November general election.
What voters should consider
Voters will weigh Governor McKee’s proven track record and his commitment to completing the Washington Bridge on schedule against Foulkes’s criticism of the project’s cost and timeline. The outcome will signal whether Rhode Island voters favor continuity and steady progress or a shift toward new leadership.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
