Rhode Island’s Democratic governor loses primary amid anger over bridge
Helena Foulkes beats incumbent Dan McKee after criticizing handling of Providence’s Washington bridge, now expected to be completed in 2028
TL;DR
- Governor Dan McKee lost the Democratic primary to Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive.
- McKee's defeat is attributed to public frustration over the handling of repairs to the Washington bridge in Providence.
- The Washington bridge's repair timeline has been significantly delayed, with completion now estimated for November 2028.
- It is rare for a sitting governor to lose a primary; the last instance in Rhode Island was in 1994.
- Foulkes is considered to have a strong advantage in the November general election.
- Separately, David Morales defeated incumbent mayor Brett Smiley in Providence's Democratic primary.