Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faces a critical month ahead as he aims to close a 20-point gap against his primary challenger Helena Foulkes. Should he fail, McKee risks becoming the first sitting U.S. governor to lose a primary in eight years.
This race is a reflection of the global post-pandemic wave of discontent against incumbents, cutting across political ideologies as voters express dissatisfaction with the high cost of living and ineffective governance. This sentiment echoes through various political shifts, from progressive insurgencies to Kamala Harris’ 2024 defeat and the waning popularity of Donald Trump.
All of this frustration seems to converge on a single point: the Washington Bridge.
Drivers navigating Rhode Island’s partially closed Washington Bridge are met with signs thanking them for their patience. Yet, for many who have endured the traffic chaos since safety issues arose in 2023, these messages feel hollow. Despite some progress, commuters remain frustrated with the economic and logistical challenges caused by the bridge’s limited access. One elderly woman expressed her anger to Foulkes, saying she wished she could shoot the signs with a BB gun.
This contest marks a rematch of the 2022 primary, where McKee narrowly overcame Foulkes in a crowded field after being elevated to governor when Gina Raimondo was appointed Commerce Secretary. Unlike other Democratic contests, this primary doesn’t align neatly along ideological divides. Both Foulkes and McKee present themselves as mainstream, center-left Democrats.
“I’m challenging the notion that the status quo is the best we can achieve,” Foulkes told Playbook. She advocates for the construction of 20,000 new housing units funded by a millionaires tax. “It’s vital for people to feel momentum and energy because government often lacks a sense of urgency while people’s lives are in turmoil.”
Rhode Island, small enough to traverse in an hour, finds the Washington Bridge as a potent symbol of its political climate. The bridge, a crucial link between Providence and East Providence, stands as the primary issue in the race, influencing perceptions of McKee’s leadership. McKee and Foulkes frequently clash over the bridge’s reconstruction timeline, the bidding process, and the Department of Transportation’s leadership. Residents also grapple with some of the nation’s highest electricity costs and poor housing affordability.
The anti-establishment sentiment extends beyond this race. In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Elaine Pelino, a former actress and magazine publisher, leads the polls with her anti-socialism stance on social media. Meanwhile, the Democratic race for lieutenant governor sees incumbent Sabina Matos facing formidable opponents, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley contends with a challenge from state Rep. David Morales.
McKee is vigorously defending his record, asserting that he has delivered for Rhode Islanders despite challenges posed by Trump. He cites achievements in jobs, SNAP, wind energy, education, hospitals, housing, and energy. McKee contends that he has prioritized bridge safety, addressing issues neglected by previous administrations. A recent poll from McKee’s allies showed a tightening race, with Foulkes’ lead reduced to six points.
“My record will be decisive,” McKee stated. “My opponent has a history in corporate boardrooms, prioritizing profits over people.”
McKee’s campaign hinges on a populist message, championing working people against the elite business class. His strong union support is a key asset, while Foulkes, a former CVS executive with a political lineage, counters the socialist label. Her campaign is humorously described as being run from the exclusive Dunes Club in Narragansett by McKee’s campaign manager, Drew Shannon.
McKee has launched negative ads, accusing Foulkes of cutting healthcare and ignoring opioid issues during her CVS tenure. He labels her a “denier” of his administration’s achievements, paralleling her alleged role in the opioid crisis. Both candidates engaged in a heated radio debate recently. As of July 31, Foulkes held five times the cash on hand compared to McKee’s campaign.
McKee is actively securing endorsements, especially from labor groups, including teachers, firefighters, building trades, and Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island PAC. Should he stage a comeback, union support will likely be crucial.
However, McKee’s image as a labor advocate from the working-class Blackstone Valley has been tarnished by notable defections. The Rhode Island SEIU State Council endorsed Foulkes, while both the state Democratic Party and the AFL-CIO chose not to endorse in the race, dealing blows to McKee.
“The labor movement is split between both camps,” stated AFL-CIO President Patrick Crowley.
Several Democratic city committees have also backed Foulkes. Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter, who once held McKee’s previous role, now supports Foulkes. Mutter commented on McKee, “Some decisions don’t align with the mentor I knew,” describing his endorsement as a challenging personal choice.
“It’s a rare moment,” Mutter noted, “where incumbency might prove more a liability than an asset due to prevailing frustration.”
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CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misspelled Cumberland Mayor Jeff Mutter’s name.
