Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee loses Democratic primary to businesswoman Helena Foulkes
McKee fell after voters soured on his handling of the Washington Bridge, with 63% disapproving in an August Emerson College poll.
- NBC News projected on Thursday that former CVS executive Helena Foulkes defeated incumbent Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in the Democratic primary, with public polling showing McKee trailing by double digits heading into Tuesday's vote.
- Voter dissatisfaction over the Washington Bridge closure in Providence served as a primary catalyst for the incumbent's defeat; an August Emerson College poll found 63% of likely voters disapproved of McKee's handling of the project.
- According to ad-tracking firm AdImpact, Foulkes outspent McKee by a 3-to-1 margin on the airwaves, while emphasizing in campaign ads that the state had "the worst roads and bridges."
- Supported by high-profile Democrats including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and relatives Thomas Dodd and Chris Dodd, Foulkes is now the heavy favorite in the general election for the blue state.
- McKee becomes the first governor to fall in a primary this year, joining a broader anti-incumbent wave that has seen 11 House members lose primaries in 2026, a rarity compared to the 2018 defeat of Kansas Republican Jeff Colyer.
40 Articles
40 Articles
Rhode Island Gov. McKee Loses Democratic Nomination to Helena Foulkes
Democratic challenger for Rhode Island governor, former CVS Health executive Helena Foulkes, speaks during a gubernatorial election forum hosted by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce in Warwick, R.I., on Sept. 8, 2022. (David Goldman/AP Photo)
Prince George Citizen
Foulkes defeats Rhode Island's Gov. McKee. He's the first governor in 8 years to lose a primary
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Helena Foulkes has defeated Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in the state’s Democratic primary, making him the first governor in any U.S. state to lose a party primary since 2018.
Foulkes wins Democratic gubernatorial primary, marking historic loss for McKee • Rhode Island Current
This story will be updated Gov. Dan McKee won’t be in office to see through his promised “day of reckoning” over the Washington Bridge closure, after losing his reelection bid to Democratic challenger Helena Buonanno Foulkes on Wednesday, according to preliminary, unofficial results. Foulkes had 62% of votes, compared with McKee’s 38%, with more than […]
Dem incumbent becomes first sitting governor to lose primary since 2018
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee lost his Democratic primary Wednesday to businesswoman Helena Foulkes, becoming the first sitting governor in the country since 2018 to be denied his party's nomination.Foulkes, a former CVS executive and current Costco board member, defeated McKee in a rematch of their closely fought 2022 Democratic primary, when McKee edged her out by just a few percentage points. McKee's defeat Wednesday adds another incumbent to a…
Rhode Island’s Dan McKee becomes first elected governor to lose primary since 2014
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee lost his Democratic gubernatorial primary Wednesday, becoming the first elected governor since 2014 and the first sitting governor since 2018 to not be re-nominated.
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