Who is Helena Buonanno Foulkes and what is Foulkes running on in the 2026 Rhode Island Governor race?

Helena Buonanno Foulkes is the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island governor. Former CVS Health executive; 2022 gubernatorial candidate who narrowly lost to McKee; beat him in the 2026 primary. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Open in effect: incumbent Dan McKee (D) lost the Sept 9, 2026 Democratic primary to Helena Foulkes.
• Rating: Solid D (Cook, Inside Elections).
• Polling: Foulkes 45, Block 21, Guckian 18 (Emerson/WPRI, Aug 21 to 22, 2026).

Why Foulkes is ahead

• Republicans have not won statewide in Rhode Island since 2006.
• Foulkes beat an unpopular incumbent 62.5%-37.5%, channelling anger over the Washington Bridge closure and cost of living.
• Anti-Foulkes vote is split between Republican Guckian and independent Ken Block, both polling around 15 to 21%.
• Guckian won his primary by under 300 votes and Elaine Pelino requested a recount, leaving the GOP weakened.

What Foulkes is running on

• Housing. Proposes a state housing revolving fund financed by a millionaire’s tax, plus rent relief, eviction protections and Rhode Island-made modular housing.
• Cost of living. Made housing affordability and cost of living the center of her campaign.
• Transit. Pledges stable funding for the RIPTA bus system instead of yearly cuts and restorations.
• Truck tolls. Has not committed on restarting truck tolls.
• Infrastructure / leadership. Ran as an outsider promising change after the Washington Bridge closure.

In Foulkes’s own words

“We are done cutting RIPTA one year, and funding it the next, right before an election.”

“I think that people really were ready for change. And this was not just about the bridge.”

The other candidates

• Aaron Guckian (R)
• Ken Block (I)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.