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Incumbent Rhode Island governor projected to lose Democratic primary to former CVS executive
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes defeated incumbent Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in the Democratic primary, leading 62.3% to 37.7% with half the votes counted.
- Rhode Island, a reliably Democratic state with no Republican statewide winners since 2006, positions Foulkes as the favorite for the November general election.
- McKee is the first sitting governor in the U.S. to lose a primary in eight years; he assumed office after Gina Raimondo became commerce secretary and was elected to a full term in 2022.
- McKee's tenure faced criticism due to the costly and delayed rebuilding of the Washington Bridge, with expenses rising to $427 million and completion pushed to 2028.
- Foulkes, a political newcomer with family ties to prominent senators and an endorsement from Nancy Pelosi, previously lost to McKee in the 2022 Democratic primary.
