Key facts
- Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee faces a primary challenge from Helena Foulkes.
- Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, has outraised the incumbent.
- Public anger over the delayed Washington Bridge repair project is a key campaign issue.
- McKee is accused of mismanaging the bridge repair, which has exceeded timelines and costs.
- McKee has attacked Foulkes' corporate background, linking her to the opioid crisis.
- Foulkes denies the opioid allegations and highlights her efforts to reduce opioid dispersal at CVS.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is facing a significant challenge in the upcoming Democratic primary from Helena Foulkes, a former executive at CVS Health. Four years after narrowly winning his primary, McKee is now fighting to avoid becoming the first Rhode Island governor in over three decades to lose a primary election. Foulkes has actively outraised and outspent McKee, utilizing campaign ads to highlight his perceived weaknesses.
A major point of contention in the campaign is the ongoing repair of the Washington Bridge, a critical piece of infrastructure that carries nearly 100,000 vehicles daily. The closure of the westbound side in 2023 due to a "critical failure" has led to significant traffic disruptions, and repairs have taken longer and cost more than initially estimated. Foulkes has leveraged this issue to criticize McKee's leadership, while McKee defends his actions by prioritizing safety and pointing to a projected 2028 completion date, comparing it favorably to the replacement of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Political scientist Adam Myers noted that infrastructure issues like bridge repairs provide a clear target for public blame, making them particularly thorny for incumbent governors. In response to Foulkes' criticisms, McKee has attacked her corporate background, accusing her of being out of touch and prioritizing profits over people, even linking her tenure at CVS to the opioid crisis. Foulkes denies these allegations, stating that CVS reduced opioid dispersal by 40% during her leadership and that her criticisms are often misconstrued as attacks on CVS itself. She has also warned that McKee's rhetoric could alienate businesses in the state. McKee emphasizes his support from labor groups, though the state Democratic Party and AFL-CIO have not made endorsements. Foulkes, meanwhile, is building support from various Democratic factions, including within McKee's hometown.