Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is facing a significant challenge in the state's Democratic primary on Wednesday from former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, as he seeks to become the first incumbent governor in any state to lose a primary since 2018. McKee narrowly defeated Foulkes in a multi-candidate primary four years ago to secure his first full term.
Foulkes has centered her campaign on public dissatisfaction with the cost and timeline of the Washington Bridge replacement project. The critical link, which carries Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River and connects Providence to eastern Massachusetts, was abruptly closed in 2023 due to safety concerns. State transportation officials identified a "critical failure" in an older section of the bridge, and its demolition and replacement have extended beyond McKee's initial estimates. While traffic continues to flow on a newer section, reduced lanes have led to longer commute times for many.
Foulkes has argued that McKee's administration is not prioritizing the needs of most Rhode Islanders. "People feel like state government just works with a powerful few," she stated. "They don’t think it’s working for them."
Mckee has countered by portraying Foulkes as an out-of-touch candidate with questionable policy stances, specifically referencing her tenure at CVS. "The option here is somebody who wants to buy this state office who doesn’t have any credibility with their policy thoughts and someone like myself, who has a strong record in terms of working people," McKee told The Associated Press.
McKee, who has served as governor since 2021 after succeeding Gina Raimondo when she was appointed U.S. commerce secretary, maintains that his decisions regarding the Washington Bridge prioritized public safety and that the project will be completed by 2028. He has drawn comparisons to the replacement of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024, suggesting the Washington Bridge project will be finished ahead of schedule.
Foulkes, who spent 25 years at CVS, rising to president of its pharmacy division, has defended her record on the opioid crisis, stating that CVS reduced opioid dispersal by 40% during her leadership. CVS later agreed to a $5 billion settlement nationwide over the opioid crisis in 2022, without admitting wrongdoing, after Foulkes had departed the company.
Incumbent governors have historically faced rare defeats in party primaries. In Rhode Island, the last instance occurred in 1994 when Democrat Bruce Sundlun lost to state Sen. Myrth York. Nationally, former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer lost the Republican nomination in 2018 to Kris Kobach. The Republican gubernatorial primary in Rhode Island features Aaron Guckian, endorsed by the state party, and first-time candidate Elaine Pelino.
Rhode Island's primary elections are being held on a Wednesday this year, a deviation from the traditional Tuesday, due to their proximity to Labor Day. Only four states, including Rhode Island, hold primaries in September, with Delaware having the latest date on September 15.