Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee Falls to Former CVS Executive in Democratic Primary

Incumbent Rhode Island governor loses primary to former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, marking a historic defeat.

September 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Providence, United States — A former CVS executive has defeated Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee in the state’s Democratic primary, according to projections from The Associated Press.

With about half of the votes counted by 8:30 p.m. ET, Helena Foulkes led McKee with 62.3% to 37.7%. Rhode Island, a reliably Democratic state, has not elected a Republican statewide candidate since 2006, putting Foulkes in a strong position for the general election.

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McKee, who became governor after serving as lieutenant governor, is the first sitting governor in the U.S. to lose a primary in eight years. His tenure has been marked by challenges, including the closure of the Washington Bridge, which was shut down in December 2023 due to structural issues and will now cost $427 million to rebuild. Foulkes, who ran for governor in 2022 but lost to McKee, has focused on housing and affordability, drawing support from prominent figures like Nancy Pelosi.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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