Foulkes Defeats Incumbent McKee in RI Governor Primary

Helena Foulkes has defeated incumbent Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee in the state's Democratic primary, ending his bid for a second full term and marking the first time a governor has lost a primary election in the U.S. since 2018. The race was largely defined by public frustration over the handling of the Washington Bridge project, a critical artery connecting Providence to its eastern suburbs and parts of Massachusetts. McKee, who assumed office in March 2021 and was elected to a full term four years ago, faced significant challenges stemming from the nearly three-year partial closure of the bridge. The structure was closed in December 2023 after officials identified critical structural flaws. While state officials initially estimated a reopening this year, the completion date has since been pushed back to November 2028. The ongoing reconstruction has led to reduced lanes, causing prolonged commute times for tens of thousands of daily drivers. Foulkes, a former executive at CVS and Hudson's Bay, made McKee's administration's management of the bridge project a central theme of her campaign.