Rhode Island’s Democratic Primary Shake-Up: Helena Foulkes Overcomes Gov. Dan McKee

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faced a significant setback after losing his Democratic primary bid to businesswoman Helena Foulkes. This defeat makes McKee the first sitting governor since 2018 to lose his party’s nomination. In a political rematch, Foulkes, a business veteran with ties to CVS and Costco, bested McKee in their closely contested 2022 Democratic primary rematch.

McKee initially ascended to the governor’s seat in 2021 following Gina Raimondo’s departure to join the Biden administration as Commerce Secretary. Following his appointment, McKee won his first full term in 2022, narrowly emerging victorious in a competitive primary that also featured Foulkes.

The last incidence of a sitting governor losing a primary occurred in Kansas, where Republican Jeff Colyer was defeated in 2018 by Kris Kobach. Kobach was the Secretary of State at the time and supported by Donald Trump, winning by fewer than 400 votes.

“Foulkes’ success in the 2026 campaign highlights her transition from a corporate leader to a political contender,” Mark Stockwell/AP captures this shift during a campaign event.

Foulkes, with extensive private sector experience from her time as a senior executive at CVS Health and CEO of Hudson’s Bay Company, now sits on the board at Costco. Her victory in 2026 marks her second attempt at elected office, having previously placed second in the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

The primary race drew attention to critical issues, including records and leadership challenges. Foulkes raised questions about McKee’s governance, particularly his handling of the Washington Bridge, which was unexpectedly closed for safety reasons in December 2023 and is undergoing reconstruction. McKee, defending his administration, criticized Foulkes’ corporate background, focusing on her role at CVS during its controversial response to prescription opioid distribution.

In November, Foulkes is set to compete in the general election against either Aaron Guckian, 2022’s Republican nominee for Rhode Island lieutenant governor, or Elaine Pelino, a retired business executive.

Alec Schemmel, reporting on political developments for Fox News Digital, offers insights from his base in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore Metro Area.