Who is Ken Block and what is Block running on in the 2026 Rhode Island Governor race?

Ken Block is the independent candidate for Rhode Island governor. Independent; announced his candidacy in April 2026. Polling about 19 to 21%. 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 Block is behind

• 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 Block is running on

• Transit. Proposes making bus fares free for one year, saying the cost (about $9M) can be found in the state budget.
• Infrastructure. Wants to consolidate the state’s transportation agencies and criticizes bridge maintenance failures.
• Light rail. Skeptical of light rail until there is cost and ridership data.

In Block’s own words

“In a $15.2 billion budget, I can assure you we can find that $9 million”

The other candidates

• Helena Buonanno Foulkes (D)
• Aaron Guckian (R)

Every race

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