Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faces a formidable Democratic primary challenge from Helena Foulkes on Wednesday, navigating voter frustration over a crippled bridge and trailing significantly in recent polling as the state decides crucial contests across local and federal races.
The Washington Bridge Crisis and Governor Dan McKee’s Vulnerable Primary Bid
Rhode Island voters head to the polls in a high-stakes Democratic primary that could unseat incumbent Governor Dan McKee. McKee assumed the state’s top office in March 2021 after then-Governor Gina Raimondo stepped down to become U.S. commerce secretary, later winning a full term in 2022. Today, however, he ranks among the nation’s least popular governors according to Morning Consult data cited by CBS News.
Much of the voter backlash centers on the protracted closure of the Washington Bridge. The westbound span, which carries 100,000 vehicles daily between East Providence and Providence, was shut down in December 2023 after authorities discovered broken anchor rods and critical structural flaws. State officials subsequently determined the bridge required total demolition and reconstruction.
The price tag for the rebuild has climbed to $427 million, up from an initial estimate of $368 million. While officials originally hoped traffic would resume this past August, the completion date has been pushed back to November 2028. Maureen Moakley, a professor emeritus at the University of Rhode Island, noted that the infrastructure failure has severely damaged the governor’s standing.
“He was doomed from Day One because of the bridge…the attitude of the voters I think is we need some change, we need some new people.”
Maureen Moakley, Professor emeritus at University Rhode Island, via CBS News
Compounding these infrastructure headaches, a joint investigation conducted in 2024 by state Attorney General Peter Neronha and the state police found that McKee personally and directly intervened in awarding a multimillion-dollar state contract, though investigators concluded he did not violate bribery or campaign finance laws. Neronha subsequently endorsed McKee’s primary challenger.
Helena Foulkes Builds Momentum on a Platform of Housing and Affordability
Challenging McKee is Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a former executive with CVS who placed a close second in the crowded five-way 2022 Democratic primary. Foulkes brings deep political lineage to the race as the niece of former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut. Independent polling from the University of New Hampshire shows Foulkes maintaining a lead over McKee throughout the year, though a significant share of voters remained undecided.
Foulkes has centered her campaign on housing costs and economic affordability. Her proposals include a Millionaire’s Tax
that would add a 3% levy on incomes exceeding $1,000,000 to fund the construction of more than 20,000 homes. She has also leaned heavily on her 25-year corporate career to argue she can bring administrative competence and expanded healthcare access to state government, such as by raising Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Adam Myers, a professor of political science at Providence College, explained to CBS News that the contest has functioned less as a policy debate and more as a verdict on the current administration.
“This election is more of a referendum on McKee than it is a vote like about her. They don’t perceive McKee as a competent governor, and they think that Foulkes is going to bring more competence to the position, and I don’t really think it has a whole lot to do with her stances on the issues.”
Adam Myers, Professor of political science at Providence College, via CBS News
On the Republican side, state trade association executive Aaron Guckian and former actress Elaine Pelino are squaring off for the GOP nomination. Guckian, who ran for lieutenant governor in 2022, carries the endorsement of the state Republican Party.
Voter Turnout and Key Electorate Statistics Across Rhode Island
As polls prepare to close at 8 p.m. ET, election officials are tracking voter participation against historical baselines. State records cited by the Associated Press show approximately 793,000 registered voters in Rhode Island, with about 695,000 classified as active. Among active registrants, roughly 235,000 are registered Democrats, 100,000 are Republicans, and 359,000 remain unaffiliated.
Unaffiliated voters hold substantial sway under state rules, as they may participate in either party’s primary, whereas registered party members must vote within their own affiliation. Early voting and mail ballots have already accounted for tens of thousands of votes ahead of Wednesday’s close.
| Primary Metric | Democratic Primary | Republican Primary |
|---|---|---|
| Total Active Registered Voters | Approx. 235,000 | Approx. 100,000 |
| Early / Mail Ballots Cast (Prior to Election Day) | Approx. 30,000 | Approx. 3,500 |
| Historical Turnout (2022 Gubernatorial Primary) | Approx. 114,000 votes | Approx. 21,000 votes |
Broader Municipal Upheavals and the Stakes for Local Incumbents
The gubernatorial showdown is not the only high-profile race testing incumbent power. In Providence, first-term Mayor Brett Smiley faces a progressive primary challenge from state Representative David Morales. Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist endorsed by national figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ro Khanna, has campaigned on policies such as rent stabilization while pushing back against allegations that he supports defunding the police.
Reflecting on the cascading challenges facing establishment figures across the state, Myers offered a stark assessment to CBS News: It’s possible that all of these major elected officials in Rhode Island will lose their races. It will definitely be kind of like a minor earthquake in Rhode Island politics if that happens.
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