Helena Foulkes Ousts Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee in 2026 Primary Upset

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 10

Helena Foulkes defeated Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in Wednesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, making him the first sitting U.S. governor since 2018 to lose his party’s nomination.
The rematch turned on leadership and management: Foulkes attacked McKee over state government performance, especially the Washington Bridge closure since December 2023, while McKee cast her as an out-of-touch corporate executive tied to CVS’s opioid controversies.
Foulkes, a former CVS executive and current Costco board member, had narrowly lost to McKee in the 2022 primary; McKee had gone on to win a full term after taking office in 2021 when Gina Raimondo joined the Biden administration.
Her win adds another incumbent to the 2026 list of ousted officeholders and sends Foulkes into November as the favorite against the Republican nominee, either Aaron Guckian or Elaine Pelino.