Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is facing a significant challenge in the upcoming Democratic primary, as a new poll shows him trailing challenger Helena Foulkes by a wide margin. The survey, conducted by Emerson College Polling and WPRI-TV 12, indicates that Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, has secured 45% support among likely Democratic primary voters, while McKee trails with 30%. A notable 25% of respondents remain undecided, leaving room for shifts in the race.
Foulkes' lead comes despite McKee's recent gains. According to the poll, McKee's support has increased by 10 percentage points since May, while Foulkes saw a 5-point bump. Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted that McKee's base includes voters without a college degree (61%) and union members (40%), but that Foulkes holds a strong plurality among voters over 50, capturing 48% of that demographic.
McKee, who is 75, has been touting a new policy called the “Rule of 90,” which would allow government employees over 60 to retire with full benefits after 30 years of service. He has pledged to include this in his 2028 budget proposal if re-elected, as reported by the Rhode Island Current.
Foulkes, on the other hand, has centered her campaign on affordability and healthcare reform. She has proposed a $100 million investment in career and technical education facilities, as well as plans to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates, ease COVID-19 restrictions for healthcare providers, and expedite licensing processes.
In a statement on her website, Foulkes highlighted her experience at CVS, saying, “In my 25-year career at CVS, I learned firsthand just how difficult it is for most Americans to navigate our broken healthcare system. But I also learned that by focusing on people’s needs, we can save money, improve health outcomes, and save lives.” She also cited a program she implemented that ensured customers could access the lowest prescription prices, even if it wasn't through their insurance, adding, “The insurance companies didn’t like it one bit, but it was the right thing to do.”
The race in Rhode Island is part of a broader pattern of competitive Democratic primaries this cycle, as seen in other states like Wisconsin's deadlocked governor race and Alaska's Senate race, which are testing party strategy. The outcome in Rhode Island could signal how voters are responding to incumbent governors versus challengers with private-sector experience.
The Emerson College Polling/WPRI-TV 12 survey was conducted from August 21-22 among likely Rhode Island voters and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.
