2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
 
Candidate TBD TBD Ken Block
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Incumbent Governor

Dan McKee
Democratic


The 2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Rhode Island. Incumbent Democratic governor Dan McKee is running for re-election to a second term. Primary elections will take place on September 9, 2026.[1]

Republicans have not won a statewide election in Rhode Island since 2006. While Rhode Island is generally a safely Democratic state, the Democratic primary is predicted to be competitive due to McKee's high unpopularity. The election has also been noted as not following national trends of progressives versus moderates, with both Democrats being relatively moderate and the primary instead largely boiling down to anger over the longtime closure over the Washington Bridge.[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Endorsements

Helena Foulkes
U.S representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Labor unions
Organizations
Declined to endorse
Party officials
Political parties
Labor unions

Debates and forums

2026 Rhode Island Democratic gubernatorial primary debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Participants
 P  Participant  A  Absent  N  Non-invitee  I  Invitee W  Withdrawn
Foulkes McKee
1 Aug 3, 2026 WPRO Bill Bartholomew YouTube[34] P P
2 Aug 12, 2026 WJAR Gene Valicenti YouTube[35] P P
3 Aug 18, 2026 WPRI-TV
Rhode Island College		 Ted Nesi
Tim White		 YouTube[36] P P

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll
aggregation		 Dates
administered		 Dates
updated		 Helena
Foulkes		 Dan
McKee		 Gregory
Stevens		 Other/Undecided
[c]		 Margin
270toWin[37] August 18–27, 2026 August 27, 2026 49.7% 25.3% – 25.0% Foulkes +24.4%
Race to the WH[38] through August 11, 2026 August 19, 2026 46.0% 27.6% 1.3% 25.1% Foulkes +18.4%
Average 47.9% 26.5% 1.3% 24.3% Foulkes +21.4%
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Helena
Foulkes		 Dan
McKee		 Gregory
Stevens		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[39] August 20–24, 2026 451 (LV) ± 4.6% 56% 18% — 2% 23%
Emerson College/WPRI-TV[40] August 21–22, 2026 528 (LV) ± 4.2% 45% 30% — — 24%
Embold Research[41][A] August 3–11, 2026 (LV) — 48% 28% — 1%[e] 22%
Tavern Research (D)[42][B] July 10–14, 2026 777 (LV) — 39% 33% — — 28%
University of New Hampshire[43] June 18–23, 2026 337 (LV) ± 5.0% 42% 22% 1% 4%[f] 31%
Emerson College/WPRI-TV[44] May 14–16, 2026 565 (LV) ± 4.1% 40% 20% — 3%[g] 37%
University of New Hampshire[45] April 16–20, 2026 327 (LV) ± 5.4% 45% 11% 3% 2%[h] 39%
Expedition Strategies (D)[46] March 24–29, 2026 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 34% 20% 8% — 38%
Concord Public Opinion Partners (D)[47][C] February 28, 2026 319 (LV) — 24% 15% 3% — 58%
University of New Hampshire[48] February 12–16, 2026 364 (LV) ± 5.1% 34% 18% 4% 3%[g] 40%
University of New Hampshire[49] September 17–23, 2025 275 (LV) ± 5.9% 35% 19% — 6%[i] 40%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Helena
Foulkes		 Dan
McKee		 Peter
Neronha		 Joe
Shekarchi		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[50] November 13–17, 2025 364 (LV) ± 5.1% 29% 11% — 13% 6%[j] 42%
URI/YouGov[51] August 1–18, 2025 500 (A) ± 6.0% 14% 19% 15% 7% 4% 41%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

  • Aaron Guckian, former chair of the Warwick Sewer Authority and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022[52][53]
  • Elaine Pelino, former actress and model[52]
  • Robert Raimondo, businessman and cousin of former Democratic Governor Gina Raimondo[54]

Declined

Endorsements

Aaron Guckian
Organizations

Debates and forums

2026 Rhode Island Republican gubernatorial primary debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Participants
 P  Participant  A  Absent  N  Non-invitee  I  Invitee W  Withdrawn
Guckian Pelino
1 Aug 12, 2026 WJAR Gene Valicenti YouTube[58] P P

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Aaron
Guckian		 Elaine
Pelino		 Robert
Raimondo		 Other Undecided
Embold Research[41][A] August 3–11, 2026 (LV) — 17% 37% — 2%[k] 44%
University of New Hampshire[43] June 18–23, 2026 145 (LV) ± 8.1% 17% 42% 1% 1%[l] 39%

Independents

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Declined

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[63] Solid D September 11, 2025
Fox News[64] Solid D July 23, 2026
Inside Elections[65] Solid D August 28, 2025
Race to the WH[66] Likely D June 19, 2026
RealClearPolitics[67] Solid D June 5, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball[68] Safe D September 4, 2025
Silver Bulletin[69] Solid D August 25, 2026

Endorsements

Ken Block (I)
Political parties

Polling

Dan McKee vs. Aaron Guckian vs. Ken Block

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Dan
McKee (D)		 Aaron
Guckian (R)		 Ken
Block (I)		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[39] August 20–24, 2026 750 (LV) ± 3.6% 27% 17% 26% 10%[m] 20%
Emerson College/WPRI-TV[40] August 21–22, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 36% 17% 26% 3% 19%
University of New Hampshire[43] June 18–23, 2026 664 (LV) ± 3.9% 27% 23% 27% – 23%
Opinion Diagnostics[72][D] April 13–16, 2026 802 (LV) – 28% 15% 20% – 37%

Helena Foulkes vs. Aaron Guckian vs. Ken Block

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Helena
Foulkes (D)		 Aaron
Guckian (R)		 Ken
Block (I)		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[39] August 20–24, 2026 750 (LV) ± 3.6% 40% 15% 19% 6%[n] 19%
Emerson College/WPRI-TV[40] August 21–22, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 45% 18% 21% 2% 14%
University of New Hampshire[43] June 18–23, 2026 664 (LV) ± 3.9% 38% 22% 19% – 21%
Opinion Diagnostics[72][D] April 13–16, 2026 802 (LV) – 33% 16% 18% – 33%

Dan McKee vs. Elaine Pelino vs. Ken Block

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Dan
McKee (D)		 Elaine
Pelino (R)		 Ken
Block (I)		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[39] August 20–24, 2026 750 (LV) ± 3.6% 26% 19% 25% 9%[o] 20%

Helena Foulkes vs. Elaine Pelino vs. Ken Block

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Helena
Foulkes (D)		 Elaine
Pelino (R)		 Ken
Block (I)		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[39] August 20–24, 2026 750 (LV) ± 3.6% 42% 20% 18% 4%[p] 17%
Hypothetical polling

Helena Foulkes vs. Republican nominee vs. Ken Block

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Helena
Foulkes (D)		 Republican
nominee		 Ken
Block (I)		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[43] June 18–23, 2026 664 (LV) ± 3.9% 38% 22% 19% 1%[q] 20%
Emerson College/WPRI-TV[44] May 14–16, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 39% 21% 19% 3%[r] 19%

Dan McKee vs. Republican nominee vs. Ken Block

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[d]		 Margin
of error		 Dan
McKee (D)		 Republican
nominee		 Ken
Block (I)		 Other Undecided
University of New Hampshire[43] June 18–23, 2026 664 (LV) ± 3.9% 27% 23% 27% 2%[s] 21%
Emerson College/WPRI-TV[44] May 14–16, 2026 1,000 (LV) ± 3.0% 33% 23% 22% 6%[t] 17%

See also

Notes

  1. ↑
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  5. ↑ "Would not vote" with 1%
  6. ↑ Gregerson with 1%; "Another candidate" with 3%
  7. 1 2 "Another candidate" with 3%
  8. ↑ "Another candidate" with 2%
  9. ↑ "Someone else" with 6%
  10. ↑ 'Write in someone else' with 6%
  11. ↑ "Write-in" with 2%
  12. ↑ "Write-in" with 1%
  13. ↑ "Write in someone else" with 6%; Jasjit Gotra with 3%; CD Reynolds with 1%
  14. ↑ "Write in someone else" and Jasjit Gotra with 3%; CD Reynolds with 0%
  15. ↑ "Write in someone else" with 5%; Jasjit Gotra with 3%; CD Reynolds with 1%
  16. ↑ "Write in someone else" with 2%; CD Reynolds and Jasjit Gotra with 1%
  17. ↑ "Write in" with 1%
  18. ↑ "Someone else" with 6%
  19. ↑ "Write in" with 2%
  20. ↑ "Someone else" with 6%

Partisan clients

  1. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy.
  2. ↑ Poll commissioned by Working Rhode Island Forward, which supports McKee
  3. ↑ Poll sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform
  4. 1 2 Poll sponsored by Block's campaign.

References

  1. ↑ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". National Conference of State Legislatures. September 26, 2025. Archived from the original on May 9, 2026. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Okun, Eli (August 8, 2026). "Why Rhode Island may oust a sitting governor over a bridge". POLITICO. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Anderson, Patrick (September 9, 2025). "Helena Foulkes launches second bid for governor. What we know". The Providence Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ Grenier, Deanna (January 31, 2026). "From the Stacks to the State House: Warwick Librarian Wil Gregerson Announces Run for Governor". The Rhode Island Wave. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  5. ↑ Fortier, Marc (March 3, 2025). "RI Gov. Dan McKee announces reelection campaign". NBC10 Boston. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  6. ↑ Baccari, Raymond (November 12, 2025). "Business owner Gregory Stevens announces 2026 run for governor". WPRI.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ Anderson, Patrick. "How Shekarchi's shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  8. ↑ Donnis, Ian (March 7, 2025). "State Sen. Alana DiMario on Trump and what's next in the Rhode Island Senate". The Public's Radio. Retrieved March 7, 2025. I'll break it to you right here. I am not running for governor in 2026. You can take me right off that list.
  9. ↑ Anderson, Patrick (January 13, 2025). "How Shekarchi's shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Donnis, Ian (September 30, 2024). "Approval for McKee and Matos falls in new Pell Center poll". Rhode Island PBS. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ Lavin, Nancy (October 3, 2025). "Rhode Island AG Neronha will not run for governor". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  12. ↑ Anderson, Patrick. "AG Neronha wades into governor race to endorse Helena Foulkes. Here's why". The Providence Journal. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
  13. ↑ Nesi, Ted; Sherman, Eli (February 3, 2026). "Shekarchi won't run for governor, leaving McKee to face Foulkes in primary". WPRI 12. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Endorsements by Nancy Pelosi". Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ Anderson, Patrick (January 13, 2025). "How Shekarchi's shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Foulkes Announces 26 New Endorsements, Opens Broad Street Campaign Office". LPR News. July 15, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Foulkes announces four General Assembly endorsements". The Valley Breeze. August 26, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  18. ↑ Gregg, Katherine. "Do endorsements actually sway votes? Why candidates fight for them". The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  19. ↑ Tavares, Jordan (July 2, 2026). "Rhode Island SEIU endorses Foulkes for governor". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  20. ↑ Nesi, Ted (June 8, 2026). "Dem city, town chairs endorse Foulkes over McKee in race for governor". WPRI-TV. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  21. ↑ Smith, Rob (July 24, 2026). "Environmental Organizations Endorse Foulkes for Governor, Citing Stances on Transit, Electric Rates". Eco RI News. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Four Weeks Out, It's "A Winning Week for Governor McKee"". LPR News. August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  23. ↑ Anderson, Patrick (January 13, 2025). "How Shekarchi's shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  24. ↑ Lavin, Nancy (June 16, 2026). "Home turf snub for McKee as Cumberland Democrats back Foulkes for governor". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  25. 1 2 Lavin, Nancy (July 22, 2026). "McKee picks up union endorsements as Democratic primary countdown continues". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on August 1, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  26. ↑ Lavin, Nancy (July 29, 2026). "McKee picks up second teachers union endorsement". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on August 1, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Gubernatorial race heats up as endorsements pour in". WJAR 10. July 29, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  28. ↑ Lavin, Nancy (July 27, 2026). "McKee backed a charter school moratorium. Now a major teachers union has endorsed him". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on July 30, 2026. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  29. ↑ Belmore, Ryan (June 15, 2026). "Building trades council endorses Matos for re-election as lieutenant governor". What's Up News. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
  30. ↑ "United Nurses & Allied Professionals Endorses Governor Dan McKee for Re-Election". LPR News. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island PAC Announces 2026 Election Endorsements" (Press release). Planned Parenthood Action. July 23, 2026. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  32. 1 2 Lavin, Nancy (June 22, 2026). "A party divided: RI Dems convention split leaves no endorsements for governor, LG and AG". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on June 25, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  33. ↑ Nesi, Ted (July 15, 2026). "AFL-CIO won't endorse for governor, dealing fresh blow to McKee". WPRI-TV. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  34. ↑ BartholomewTown Candidate Forum Series: RI Governor
  35. ↑ Election 2026 Debate: Democratic candidates for Rhode Island governor
  36. ↑ RI Governor Democratic Primary Debate
  37. ↑ "2026 Polls: Rhode Island Governor". 270toWin.com. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Latest Polling for Governor Races – 2025-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 "Approval of McKee Remains Low, Foulkes Opens Wide Lean in Democratic Rhode Island Gubernatorial Primary". August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  40. 1 2 3 "12 News/Emerson College Poll Results – August 2026". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  41. 1 2 Sonder, Katie (August 18, 2026). "August 2026 Survey Report". Salve Regina University. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
  42. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Edward (July 22, 2026). "Union-backed group's poll shows Governor McKee closer to Foulkes than in independent polls". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirn, Tracy (June 30, 2026). "Foulkes Continues To Lead Gubernatorial Primary In Rhode Island". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  44. 1 2 3 "12 News/Emerson College Poll Results – May 2026". WPRI-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  45. ↑ McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirns, Tracy (April 23, 2026). "Reed Comfortably Leads in U.S. Senate Election, Foulkes Expands Lead in RI Gubernatorial Primary". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  46. ↑ Nesi, Ted (April 22, 2026). "Poll: Foulkes still ahead of McKee in RI gov primary, but many undecided". Yahoo News. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  47. ↑ McGowan, Dan (March 24, 2026). "Rhode Island's race for governor is wide open, a new poll shows". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
  48. ↑ McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirns, Tracy (February 24, 2026). "Foulkes Retains Lead in RI DEM Gubernatorial Primary, McKee Approval Falls to New Low". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  49. ↑ McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirns, Tracy (September 29, 2025). "Approval of McKee Remains Low in RI, Few Likely Democratic Primary Voters Back Him Against Foulkes". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  50. ↑ McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirns, Tracy (November 24, 2025). "Rhode Island Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Muddied by High Number of Undecided Likely Voters". University of New Hampshire. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  51. ↑ Gregg, Katherine (September 15, 2025). "McKee leads – just barely – in hypothetical four-way primary race, according to new URI poll". Providence Journal. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
  52. 1 2 Baccari, Raymond (November 14, 2025). "Republican Elaine Pelino is running for RI governor next year". WPRI.com. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Republican Guckian Is Running for Governor". GoLocalProv. November 30, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
  54. ↑ Allen, Christopher (November 20, 2025). "Robert Raimondo enters R.I. governor's race". Providence Business News. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  55. ↑ Kalunian, Kim; Baccari, Raymond (January 21, 2026). "Community Focus: RI Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz". WPRI 12 News. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  56. ↑ Nesi, Ted (July 19, 2025). "Nesi's Notes: July 19". WPRI-TV. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  57. ↑ Lavin, Nancy (June 26, 2026). "RI GOP endorses Aaron Guckian for governor". Rhode Island Current. Archived from the original on June 30, 2026. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
  58. ↑ Election 2026 Debate: Republican candidates for Rhode Island governor
  59. ↑ "Ken Block drops into Rhode Island's governor's race as independent". WJAR. April 2, 2026. Retrieved April 2, 2026.
  60. ↑ "TGIF: Ian Donnis' Rhode Island politics roundup for May 8, 2026". Ocean State Media. May 8, 2026. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  61. ↑ Bessette, James (June 30, 2023). "Field for 1st Congressional District seat expands to 35 candidates". Providence Business News. Retrieved February 22, 2026.
  62. ↑ Donnis, Ian (June 3, 2025). "Six big questions about Rhode Island's 2026 race for governor". The Public's Radio. Retrieved June 5, 2025. Via campaign spokesman Jon Romano, Foulkes is ruling out running as an independent
  63. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Fox News Power Rankings: The top races to watch as 36 states choose their next governor". Fox News. Rémy Numa. Retrieved July 24, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  66. ↑ "Governor Forecast – 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  67. ↑ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolitics". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  68. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  69. ↑ Silver, Nate (August 20, 2026). "FLIPR 2026 midterm election forecast". www.natesilver.net. Retrieved August 20, 2026.
  70. ↑ "Candidates". Forward Party. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  71. ↑ Evans, Jordan Willow (August 26, 2026). "Reform Party Makes Candidate Endorsements in Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Montana". Independent Political Report. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  72. 1 2 "New Poll on RI's Governor's Race Turns Race Upside Down". GoLocalProv. April 20, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.

Official campaign websites

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