2026 Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election
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November 3, 2026
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| Elections in Rhode Island |
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The 2026 Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the lieutenant governor of Rhode Island. Incumbent Democrat Sabina Matos is running for a second full term.[1]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Sue AnderBois, Providence city councilor[2]
- Cynthia Armour Coyne, former state senator from the 32nd district (2014–2023)[3]
- Xay Khamsyvoravong, former mayor of Newport[4]
- Sabina Matos, incumbent lieutenant governor (2021–present)[5]
- Ross McCurdy, independent candidate in 2022[6]
Withdrawn
Declined
- Bill Bartholomew, radio host[10]
- Don Grebien, mayor of Pawtucket (2011–present) (running for reelection)[11]
- Peter Neronha, attorney general of Rhode Island (2019–present) (endorsed Khamsyvoravong) [12]
- Maria Rivera, mayor of Central Falls (2020–present)[13]
Endorsements
Sue AnderBois
- State legislators
- Alana DiMario, state senator from the 36th district (2021–present)[14]
- 10 current and former state representatives[a]
- Individuals
- Bill McKibben, environmentalist, author, and founder of 350.org and Third Act[14]
- Organizations
Cynthia Coyne
Xay Khamsyvoravong
- U.S. representatives
- Statewide officials
- Peter Neronha, attorney general of Rhode Island (2019–present)[17]
- State legislators
- Local officials
- Joseph Polisena Jr., mayor of Johnston (2023–present)[22]
- Charles M. Holder, mayor of Newport (2025–present)[23]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Sabina Matos
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation (2021–2025)[26]
- Local officials
- Roberto DaSilva, mayor of East Providence (2019–present)[27]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- Political parties
Debate
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||||
| Sue AnderBois | Cynthia Armour Coyne | Xay Khamsyvoravong | Sabina Matos | |||||
| 1 | July 31, 2026 | WPRI-TV | Ted Nesi Tim White |
YouTube | P | P | P | P |
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[d] |
Margin of error |
Sue AnderBois |
Cynthia Armour Coyne |
Xay Khamsyvoravong |
Sabrina Matos |
Ross McCurdy |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[32] | August 20–24, 2026 | 451 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 8% | 5% | 22% | 20% | 2% | 1%[e] | 42% |
| Emerson College/WPRI-TV[33] | August 21–22, 2026 | 528 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 8% | 9% | 18% | 20% | 4% | – | 43% |
| Embold Research[34][A] | August 3–11, 2026 | (LV) | — | 8% | 2% | 16% | 18% | 4% | 3%[f] | 48% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- John Loughlin, former state representative from the 71st district (2005–2011) and nominee for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district in 2010[35]
Declined
- Aaron Guckian, trade association executive and nominee in 2022[36] (running for governor)[37]
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Mabel Martinez[38]
See also
Notes
- ↑
- Edith Ajello, 1st district (1993–present)[14]
- Jennifer Boylan, 66th district (2023–present)[14]
- Megan Cotter, 39th district (2023–present)[15]
- Susan Donovan, 69th district (2017–present)[14]
- Brandon Potter, 16th district (2021–present)[14]
- Marcia Ranglin-Vassell, former 5th district (2017–2023)[14]
- Aaron Regunberg, former 4th district (2015–2019)[14]
- June Speakman, 68th district (2019–present)[14]
- Jennifer Stewart, 59th district (2023–present)[14]
- Teresa Tanzi, 34th district (2011–present)[14]
- ↑
- Stefano Famiglietti, 4th district (2025–present)[18]
- Brian Thompson, 20th district (2025–present)[19]
- ↑
- Lauren Carson, 75th district (2015–present)[20]
- Stephen Casey, 50th district (2013–present)[21]
- ↑ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ↑ "Another candidate" with 1%
- ↑ "Would not vote" with 3%
Partisan clients
- ↑ Poll sponsored by Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy.
References
- ↑ Donnis, Ian (September 30, 2024). "Approval for McKee and Matos falls in new Pell Center poll". The Public's Radio. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
- ↑ Donnis, Ian (November 12, 2025). "Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois joins race for Rhode Island lieutenant governor". Ocean State Media. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
- ↑ Nesi, Ted (June 10, 2025). "Former State Sen. Cindy Coyne will run for RI lieutenant governor in 2026". WPRI-TV. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ↑ Gregg, Katherine (March 2, 2026). "Newport Councilman Xaykham Khamsyvoravong announces run for lieutenant governor". The Providence Journal. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos launches reelection campaign". WJAR. February 4, 2026. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ↑ Prosnitz, Frank (July 22, 2026). "On the Ballot: Crowded field for Lieutenant Governor". What's Up Newp. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
- ↑ Baccari, Raymond (August 15, 2025). "Eric Ulis drops out of 2026 race for RI lieutenant governor". WPRI-TV. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ↑ Nesi, Ted (April 18, 2026). "Nesi's Notes: April 18". WPRI-TV. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
- ↑ Lennon, Frank (August 19, 2024). "New hirings will strengthen services to the veteran community". The Providence Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Bartholomew, Bill (November 19, 2025). "Bill Bartholomew Decides Against Run for Rhode Island Lt. Governor". Retrieved May 9, 2026.
- ↑ Baccari, Raymond (September 4, 2025). "Pawtucket mayor to kick off 2026 reelection bid". WPRI-TV. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Attorney General Peter Neronha Endorses Xay Khamsyvoravong for Lieutenant Governor". LPR News. March 27, 2026. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ Fitzpatrick, Edward (August 19, 2025). "R.I.'s first Latina mayor won't run for lieutenant governor". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Lieutenant Governor candidate Sue AnderBois announces "New Energy for Rhode Island"". Steve Ahlquist News. August 14, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ Castro, Alexander (November 13, 2025). "Providence councilor Sue AnderBois launches bid for R.I. lieutenant governor". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- 1 2 "LT. GOVERNOR CANDIDATE CINDY COYNE RECEIVES TWO MAJOR ENDORSEMENTS". LPR News. July 8, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Sherman, Eli (August 17, 2026). "Amo endorses Khamsyvoravong over Matos in LG primary". WPRI 12. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Famiglietti: Xay has a track record of showing up". The Valley Breeze. August 26, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Thompson: Action and change can't wait any longer". The Valley Breeze. August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ "Carson Endorsement for Khamsyvoravong". Newport This Week. August 11, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Casey: Rhode Island needs Xay fighting for us at the Statehouse". The Valley Breeze. August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ Winthrop, Christian (March 10, 2026). "'A New Generation': Johnston Mayor Polisena Backs Former Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong for Lieutenant Governor". Newport Buzz. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
- ↑ Winthrop, Christian (March 13, 2026). "'Newport Mayor Charlie Holder Backs Former Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong for Lieutenant Governor". Newport Buzz. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ↑ Anderson, Patrick (July 24, 2026). "What McKee endorsement by key teachers union says about the governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Town Democrats back Khamsyvoravong for Lt. Gov". Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- ↑ "The Scoop: Buttigieg Endorses Matos and Smiley". GoLocalProv. June 1, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ Belmore, Ryan (April 2, 2026). "East Providence mayor endorses Matos in lieutenant governor's race". What's Up Newport. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Lavin, Nancy (July 15, 2026). "Influential AFL-CIO opts not to endorse in RI Democratic gubernatorial race". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Belmore, Ryan (June 15, 2026). "Building trades council endorses Matos for re-election as lieutenant governor". What's Up News. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Belmore, Ryan (June 16, 2026). "Largest Rhode Island health care union endorses McKee, Matos for re-election". What's Up News. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "We're proud to endorse Lt. Governor Sabina Matos for re-election in Rhode Island!". Latino Victory on Instagram. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ "Approval of McKee Remains Low, Foulkes Opens Wide Lean in Democratic Rhode Island Gubernatorial Primary". August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
- ↑ "12 News/Emerson College Poll Results – August 2026". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Sonder, Katie (August 18, 2026). "August 2026 Survey Report". Salve Regina University. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Loughlin announces run for Rhode Island lieutenant governor". WJAR. November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ Fitzpatrick, Edward (August 19, 2025). "R.I. expecting competitive race for lieutenant governor in 2026. Who's likely to run?". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ↑ Gregg, Katherine (November 30, 2025). "Former Carcieri aide Aaron Guckian launching GOP run for governor". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- ↑ Page, Nolan (June 23, 2026). "Gov. McKee and his main rival Foulkes officially declare their candidacy for September primary". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
External links
Official campaign websites
- Sue AnderBois (D) for Lieutenant Governor
- Cindy Coyne (D) for Lieutenant Governor
- Xay Khamsyvoravong (D) for Lieutenant Governor
- John Loughlin (R) for Lieutenant Governor
- Mabel Martinez (I) for Lieutenant Governor
- Sabina Matos (D) for Lieutenant Governor
- Ross McCurdy (D) for Lieutenant Governor
- Fred McLin (D) for Lieutenant Governor