Who's In the Race

Rhode Island's governor's race is an open seat in the Nov. 3 general election, with Democrat Helena Foulkes facing Republican Aaron Guckian. Incumbent Gov. Daniel McKee, a Democrat, is not running for reelection. ​

In the Sept. 9 Democratic primary, Foulkes defeated McKee by 30,756 votes, taking 62 percent to McKee's 38 percent. The Republican primary was far closer: Guckian edged Elaine Pelino by just 279 votes, 51 percent to 49 percent. Foulkes's commanding primary margin gave her a clear mandate heading into the general, while Guckian enters the fall after a race that was nearly a coin flip.

Endorsements

Foulkes has drawn support from prominent national and statewide figures. Former President Barack Obama endorsed Foulkes, lending her campaign a high-profile national boost. Statewide official Peter Neronha also backed her.

Guckian received the endorsement of the Rhode Island Republican Party.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Polling

Every major rating service calls this race solidly in Foulkes's favor. Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball both rated the race Solid Democratic, updated Oct. 28. Inside Elections and the 270toWin consensus each rated it Solid Democratic, updated Oct. 23.

Previous Elections

Rhode Island has leaned Democratic in recent statewide contests, and the 2024 presidential results reinforce that pattern. In the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Rhode Island with 56 percent of the vote, beating Republican Donald Trump by about 14 percentage points. That margin reflects a state where Republicans face a structural disadvantage at the top of the ticket.

In the last governor's race, in 2022, McKee won the general election with 207,166 votes to Republican Ashley Kalus's 139,001, a margin of 68,165 votes. McKee's 2022 win came in favorable conditions, underscoring how difficult it has been for Republicans to win statewide in Rhode Island. Foulkes, who beat McKee decisively in the primary, enters the general with a stronger political position than the incumbent she defeated.

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