Election 2026 Decision Notes Rhode Island

FILE - Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee gives an acceptance speech in front of supporters at a primary election night watch party in Providence, R.I., Sept. 13, 2022.

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Foulkes defeats Rhode Island's Gov. McKee. He's the first governor in 8 years to lose a primary

Foulkes defeats Rhode Island's Gov. McKee. He's the first governor in 8 years to lose a primary

Helena Foulkes has defeated Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in the state’s Democratic primary, ending his bid for a second full term. McKee’s defeat marks the first time in more than 30 years that a sitting Rhode Island governor has been beaten in a primary. He is the first governor in any U.S. state to lose a party primary since 2018. Foulkes is a former senior executive at CVS and the retailer Hudson’s Bay. She narrowly lost to McKee in a more crowded primary field in 2022. In their rematch, Foulkes has benefited from public exasperation over McKee’s handling of a bridge replacement project in the state capital.