Traffic drama threatens to end Dem governor's tenure as voters head to polls in Rhode Island

Democratic Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island is fighting for his political life in the smallest U.S. state's primary elections on Wednesday as he faces potential downfall stemming from the nearly three-year partial closure of a crucial bridge.

McKee first assumed office in March 2021 when then-Gov. Gina Raimondo stepped down to become U.S. commerce secretary he was then elected four years ago for a full term. Now, McKee is trying to avoid becoming the nation's first elected governor in a dozen years to lose renomination.

The governor is facing off in a primary rematch with Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a former longtime executive with CVS, which is based in Rhode Island.

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File-Democratic Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island faces a challenging renomination as his state holds primary elections on Wednesday. (David Goldman/AP Photo)

McKee narrowly edged Foulkes, who is the niece of former Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of neighboring Connecticut, in a multi-candidate field in the 2022 Democratic primary before winning the general election in the solidly blue state.

As he fights for renomination, the governor has been outspent by a nearly two-to-one margin by Foulkes, according to Rhode Island campaign finance records.

Also working against McKee is his handling of the reconstruction of the Washington Bridge, which was shut in December 2023 after officials spotted critical structural flaws.

The bridge connects Providence to East Providence and before its westbound span was shut, it carried roughly 100,000 vehicles per day. Westbound and eastbound traffic share the reconfigured eastbound span with reduced lanes.

FILE - Diverted traffic passes a closed portion of the Washington Bridge, in East Providence, Rhode Island. (Charles Krupa/AP)

State officials originally estimated the bridge would reopen this year, but the completion date was later pushed back to November 2028.

The bridge has become a top issue in the gubernatorial primary, with McKee and Foulkes battling over the bidding process for reconstruction and the pace of rebuilding.

While pushing back on criticism over his handling of the bridge, McKee has slammed Foulkes as an out-of-touch corporate executive trying to buy herself an election win.

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Candidate for Rhode Island governor Helena Buonanno Foulkes speaks during a Get Out the Vote event, Aug. 30, 2026, in Providence, R.I. (Mark Stockwell/AP Photo)

But also working against the governor in an anti-incumbent year are the high electricity rates Rhode Islanders pay and the state's severe shortage of affordable housing.

The winner of the Democratic primary will be considered the clear favorite in the general election against either Aaron Guckian, a state trade association executive and the 2022 GOP lieutenant governor nominee, or former actress and first-time candidate Elaine Pelino, who are vying for the Republican nomination. The state GOP has endorsed Guckian.

In the race for the Senate, Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, who has served for three decades, faces two longshot challengers in their party's primary.

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Democratic Sen. Jack Reed is running for re-election in the 2026 midterm elections. (Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images)

Raymond McKay, a former president of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly and a former leading state GOP official, is the presumptive Republican Senate nominee.

Democratic Rep. Gabe Amo faces no opposition for renomination in the state's 1st Congressional District, while entrepreneur Kellie Keenan is the presumptive GOP nominee.

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Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner is the presumptive nominee in Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District.

Businessman Victory Mellor and physician Stephen Skoly are facing off in the Republican primary.