2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
November 3, 2026
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The 2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026. It will elect the governor of Rhode Island for a four-year term. The primary elections will take place on September 8, 2026.[1] Incumbent Democratic Governor Dan McKee, who became governor in 2021 upon the resignation of Gina Raimondo and was then elected to a full term in 2022, is running for re-election to a second full term in office.
While Rhode Island is a safely blue state, the Democratic primary and potentially the general election are predicted to be competitive due to McKee's low approval ratings and comparatively poor fundraising.[2][3]
Republicans have not won a statewide election in Rhode Island since Donald Carcieri was re-elected Governor in 2006.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Helena Foulkes, former CVS executive, niece of former U.S. senator Chris Dodd, and candidate for governor in 2022[4]
- Dan McKee, incumbent governor (2021–present)[5]
- Gregory Stevens, restaurateur[6]
Publicly expressed interest
- Joe Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (2021–present) from the 23rd district (2013–present)[7]
Declined
- Gregg Amore, Rhode Island Secretary of State (2023–present) (running for re-election)[2]
- Alana DiMario, state senator from the 36th district (2021–present)[8]
- Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General (2019–present)[9]
Endorsements
Dan McKee
- Statewide officials
- Sabina Matos, lieutenant governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)[2]
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Helena Foulkes |
Dan McKee |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[10] | September 17–23, 2025 | 275 (LV) | ± 5.9% | 35% | 19% | 6%[b] | 40% |
Hypothetical polling
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Aaron Guckian, former chair of the Warwick Sewer Authority and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022[13][14]
- Elaine Pelino, actress[13]
- Robert Raimondo, businessman and cousin of former Democratic Governor Gina Raimondo[15]
Potential
- Jessica de la Cruz, minority leader of the Rhode Island Senate (2022–present) from the 23rd district (2019–present)[16]
- Ashley Kalus, healthcare business owner and nominee for governor in 2022[17]
Declined
- Kenneth Hopkins, mayor of Cranston (2021–present)[18]
Independents
Candidates
Declined
- Helena Foulkes, former CVS executive, candidate for governor in 2022, granddaughter of former U.S. senator Thomas Dodd and niece of former U.S. senator Chris Dodd[19] (running as a Democrat)[4]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[20] | Solid D | September 11, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[21] | Solid D | August 28, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[22] | Likely D | September 4, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[23] | Likely D | September 16, 2025 |
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Patrick. "How Shekarchi's shadow looms large in the 2026 RI governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ "Kathy Hochul's Approval Rating Suggests an Uphill Climb to Re-Election". Morning Consult Pro. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
- ^ a b Anderson, Patrick (September 9, 2025). "Helena Foulkes launches second bid for governor. What we know". The Providence Journal. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ^ Fortier, Marc (March 3, 2025). "RI Gov. Dan McKee announces reelection campaign". NBC10 Boston. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ Baccari, Raymond (November 12, 2025). "Business owner Gregory Stevens announces 2026 run for governor". WPRI.com. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- ^ McGowan, Dan (June 25, 2025). "It's decision time for Speaker Shekarchi in the Rhode Island governor's race". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lavin, Nancy (October 3, 2025). "Rhode Island AG Neronha will not run for governor". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rhode Island Democratic Gubernatorial Primary Muddied by High Number of Undecided Likely Voters 11/24/2025". All UNH Survey Center Polls. November 24, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Fitzpatrick, Edward (September 16, 2025). "Who will the Republican candidate for R.I. governor be in 2026?". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "Republican Guckian Is Running for Governor". GoLocalProv. November 30, 2025. Retrieved November 30, 2025.
- ^ Allen, Christopher (November 20, 2025). "Robert Raimondo enters R.I. governor's race". Providence Business News. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ Crowley, Leah (July 15, 2025). "Community Focus: RI Senate Minority Leader Jessica de la Cruz". WPRI-TV.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 17, 2025). "Morning Digest: Gavin Newsom wants to fight fire with fire". The Downballot. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ Nesi, Ted (July 19, 2025). "Nesi's Notes: July 19". WPRI-TV. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ 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
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
External links
Official campaign websites