Photo credit: Helena Buonanno Foulkes for Governor
By BallotWire
09/09/2026
The Wire: Former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes decisively defeated Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee in Wednesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, winning 62.4% to 37.6% and denying the incumbent a second full term.
Why it counts: McKee became the first sitting governor in any state to lose a party primary since 2018 and the first in Rhode Island in more than 30 years. His defeat followed years of mounting frustration over the Washington Bridge, which became a defining issue in the race and a broader test of confidence in his administration.
The margin: Foulkes won by 24 points, a decisive reversal from 2022, when McKee narrowly defeated her in a crowded Democratic primary by roughly 3 percentage points. This time, Foulkes entered Election Day with a clear polling and fundraising advantage and converted it into an overwhelming victory.
The fine print: The Washington Bridge loomed over the campaign. The westbound span was abruptly closed in December 2023 after state officials discovered a critical structural failure, snarling traffic and beginning a replacement project that has taken longer than initially expected. Foulkes made the bridge a symbol of what she described as broader failures in state government, arguing that McKee’s administration was no longer delivering for Rhode Islanders.
On the record: Foulkes quickly turned her attention to the general election, telling supporters in Providence that they would have “a governor for everyone.” Her campaign has emphasized housing, child care and affordability as priorities for the state.
The counter: McKee defended his handling of the bridge, arguing that the closure was necessary to protect public safety, while highlighting his administration’s record since he became governor in 2021. He also sought to turn Foulkes’ corporate background against her, criticizing her tenure at CVS and raising the company’s role in the opioid crisis. Foulkes rejected those attacks and pointed to reductions in opioid dispensing during her time leading CVS’ pharmacy business.
The backdrop: The gubernatorial primary was less defined by the ideological divide that has shaped several other Democratic contests this cycle, with both candidates running largely within the party’s mainstream. A sharper ideological fight played out down the ballot in Providence, where 27-year-old democratic socialist David Morales, backed by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and several labor unions, defeated incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley.
Looking ahead: Foulkes now advances to the November general election. Rhode Island has not elected a Republican governor since 2006, but the general-election field will also include independent candidates, including two-time former gubernatorial candidate Ken Block. McKee, meanwhile, said he would work with Foulkes to ensure a smooth transition after conceding.