Helena Foulkes has defeated Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee in the Democratic primary, ending his bid for re-election and making him the first sitting US governor in eight years to lose a party nomination contest.
The result is a significant setback for Mr McKee, whose campaign was overshadowed by mounting criticism of the troubled Washington Bridge replacement project in Providence.
The bridge, which carries Interstate 195 over the Seekonk River and links Providence with East Providence and communities in south-eastern Massachusetts, was partially closed in 2023 after officials identified a serious structural failure. Traffic has since been squeezed on to fewer lanes, causing long delays for commuters.
Initial assurances that the bridge would fully reopen this summer were later replaced by an estimate that the replacement would not be completed until 2028. Construction began in June, following delays, rising costs and disputes involving state officials and former contractors.
Ms Foulkes made the project the central issue of her challenge, arguing that the delays and cost overruns showed a failure of leadership and accountability. Mr McKee continued to defend his record, telling the New York Times in August that voters would eventually recognise that “we did the right thing”.
The governor also attacked Ms Foulkes’ record during her 25 years at CVS, accusing her of putting corporate interests ahead of the public. Ms Foulkes, who later became chief executive of Hudson’s Bay Company, said CVS reduced its opioid distribution by 40 per cent while she led its pharmacy division.
She had already emerged as a serious threat before polling day, raising more money than the incumbent and securing support from a number of local Democratic organisations. The state party itself endorsed neither candidate after both fell short of the required majority at its convention.
Rhode Island’s Democratic nominee is expected to be strongly favoured in November, given the state’s longstanding support for Democrats. The primary was held on Wednesday, rather than the usual Tuesday, because of its proximity to Labor Day.
Ms Foulkes’ victory also completes a political reversal from 2022, when Mr McKee narrowly defeated her in a multi-candidate Democratic primary. She is the granddaughter of former Connecticut senator Thomas J Dodd and the niece of former senator Chris Dodd.
The last incumbent governor to lose a primary was Kansas Republican Jeff Colyer, who was defeated by Kris Kobach in 2018. Mr McKee’s defeat adds to a difficult election year for Democratic incumbents, although both candidates in Rhode Island ran broadly centre-left campaigns rather than representing sharply opposed ideological factions.
