Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is seeking renomination in the state's Democratic primary on Wednesday, facing a challenge from Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a former CVS executive. McKee, who assumed office in March 2021 and was later elected to a full term, is attempting to avoid becoming the first elected governor in 12 years to lose renomination in a primary.
Foulkes narrowly lost to McKee in the 2022 Democratic primary, and this year's campaign has seen her outspend the incumbent by a nearly two-to-one margin. Campaign finance records show Foulkes has invested significantly more in her bid to unseat McKee.
A significant factor contributing to the incumbent's challenge is his administration's handling of the Washington Bridge reconstruction. The bridge, a vital artery connecting Providence and East Providence, was partially closed in December 2023 due to critical structural flaws. Prior to the closure, the bridge carried approximately 100,000 vehicles daily.
Initial state estimates suggested the bridge would reopen this year, but the projected completion date has since been pushed back to November 2028. The delays and the bidding process for reconstruction have become central issues in the gubernatorial primary, with both McKee and Foulkes trading barbs over the management of the project. McKee has criticized Foulkes as an out-of-touch executive attempting to purchase an election victory, while Foulkes has focused on the administration's perceived failures in addressing the bridge crisis.
Beyond the bridge, other issues impacting McKee include high electricity rates and a shortage of affordable housing in Rhode Island. These concerns have contributed to an anti-incumbent sentiment in what is generally considered a solid blue state.
The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to be the frontrunner in the general election. The Republican nomination is contested between Aaron Guckian, a trade association executive, and Elaine Pelino, an actress. The state GOP has endorsed Guckian.
In other state races, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, a three-decade incumbent, faces longshot challengers in his party's primary. Raymond McKay is the presumptive Republican nominee for the Senate. Democratic Rep. Gabe Amo is unopposed for renomination in the 1st Congressional District, with Kellie Keenan as the presumptive GOP nominee. In the 2nd Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner is the presumptive nominee, while businessman Victory Mellor and physician Stephen Skoly are competing for the Republican nomination.
Separately, Governor McKee has called for a pause on the use of plate-reading Flock safety cameras amid growing privacy concerns, with debates centering on their effectiveness as a crime-fighting tool versus a violation of civil liberties.