<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Governor Dan McKee (D-RI) lost Rhode Island's Democratic primary on September 9, 2026, to former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes, marking him as the first incumbent governor in years to lose renomination. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As of 9 p.m. on the night of the primary, Foulkes was leading McKee with 62.5% to 37.5% with 80% of the votes counted, according to the Associated Press. This outcome follows Foulkes' close second-place finish behind McKee in a five-way primary in 2022. The results were anticipated, as she had maintained a significant lead in polls prior to the election. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Both candidates presented themselves as mainstream Democrats, but Foulkes positioned herself as an outsider aiming to reform Providence. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“I’m running against people’s belief that the status quo is maybe just as good as we’re ever going to be,” Foulkes stated in an interview with Politico Playbook last month, where she proposed funding 20,000 new housing units through a millionaires tax. “It’s so important that people feel a sense of momentum and energy … because I think oftentimes government doesn’t feel urgent to people, and their lives are really hurting.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">McKee, 75, is the first sitting governor of Rhode Island to lose a primary in over three decades and the first of either party to lose a primary for reelection since at least 2018.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Foulkes' victory was aided by her significant advertising advantage, outspending McKee by a 3-to-1 margin, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact. </p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During her campaign, Foulkes capitalized on public dissatisfaction with McKee's management of the Washington Bridge, a key commuter route in Providence. McKee closed the westbound span in 2023 after critical structural failures were identified. The replacement work is ongoing and is not expected to be completed until 2028.</p>