Rhode Island's Democratic primary delivered a decisive rebuke to the state's political establishment on Tuesday, as Governor Dan McKee and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley both lost their renomination bids. The results underscore a restless Democratic electorate, frustrated with incumbents on issues ranging from infrastructure to housing affordability.
Helena Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, defeated McKee by a wide margin, while state Representative David Morales, a democratic socialist, ousted Smiley. The outcomes mark the first time in recent memory that a sitting governor has lost a primary in the state, and they add to a national pattern of anti-incumbent sentiment heading into the fall.
McKee's loss: A bridge too far
McKee's downfall was largely driven by voter anger over the prolonged closure of the westbound Washington Bridge, a critical artery connecting Providence to East Providence. The bridge has been shut since 2023 due to structural issues, with demolition only completed in December. The state projects a full reopening by November 2028, a timeline that has frustrated commuters and businesses alike.
During a recent debate, Foulkes hammered McKee on the issue, saying, "We're not just talking about the Washington Bridge, we're talking about a culture here where a few guys at the top know what's going on, and the rest of us are in the dark." McKee acknowledged the frustration, telling The New York Times, "I know there is a lot of frustration, and I accept it. But in the end, people are going to realize we did the right thing."
The closure has added significant commute times and hurt local industries, particularly hospitality. Foulkes, who lost to McKee by just under 3 points in the 2022 primary, led by 15 points in a recent Emerson College poll, and her victory margin on Tuesday was even larger—about 25 points with 84% of votes counted. McKee had sought to tie Foulkes to CVS's role in the opioid crisis, but it wasn't enough to overcome the infrastructure anger.
Democratic socialists gain ground
Morales's victory in Providence is another win for the democratic socialist wing of the party, which has seen a surge in primary successes this cycle. As of 9 p.m. EDT, Morales led Smiley by 6 points. He is expected to win the general election in the heavily Democratic city.
Elsewhere, democratic socialists have secured Senate nominations in Florida and Oklahoma, and several are poised to win House seats in November. The movement already governs Seattle and New York City, and Janeese Lewis George in Washington, D.C., is favored to succeed Mayor Muriel Bowser. Nithya Raman, a Democratic Socialists of America member, is challenging Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The Rhode Island results, combined with similar challenges in Massachusetts, suggest that progressive energy is far from fading. In the Senate race, incumbent Jack Reed easily won the Democratic nomination for a sixth term, as expected.
With Rhode Island's primaries complete, Delaware remains the last state to hold its nominating contests next week. The outcomes here may offer a preview of the broader anti-establishment mood that could shape the general election.
