2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

See also: 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

The 2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026. It will elect the governor of Rhode Island for a four-year term. Incumbent Democratic Governor Dan McKee, who became governor in 2021 upon the resignation of Gina Raimondo and was then elected to a full term in 2022, is eligible to run for re-election to a second full term in office. McKee has said that he expects to make a decision by "the end of March" as to whether or not he will do so.^[1]

2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Dan McKee Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

Announcement pending

• Dan McKee, incumbent governor (announcement expected in early March 2025)^[2]

Publicly expressed interest

• Helena Foulkes, former CVS executive, candidate for governor in 2022, granddaughter of former U.S. senator Thomas Dodd and niece of former U.S. senator Chris Dodd^[2]
• Joe Shekarchi, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (2021–present) from the 23rd district (2013–present) (if McKee doesn't run)^[3]

Potential

• Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2021–2025) and former governor (2015–2021)^[3]

Declined

• Gregg Amore, Rhode Island Secretary of State (2023–present) (running for re-election)^[2]
• Peter Neronha, Rhode Island Attorney General (2019–present)^[4]

Endorsements

Dan McKee (not declared)

Statewide officials

• Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island (2021–present)^[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

• Ashley Kalus, businesswoman and nominee for governor in 2022^[5][6]

Independents

Candidates

Potential

• Helena Foulkes, former CVS executive, candidate for governor in 2022, granddaughter of former U.S. senator Thomas Dodd and niece of former U.S. senator Chris Dodd (Democratic)^[2]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
270toWin[7]	Likely D	January 5, 2025
The Cook Political Report[8]	Solid D	January 23, 2025

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

References

1. Crandall, Brian (November 15, 2024). "Is Gina Raimondo considering another run for governor?". WJAR. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
2. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (January 14, 2025). "Morning Digest, sponsored by 314 Action: Oklahoma Republican who fought state funding for religious school launches bid for governor". The Downballot. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
3. Donnis, Ian (November 14, 2024). "Gina Raimondo is considering another run for governor of Rhode Island". WSBE-TV. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
4. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff. "Morning Digest: Democratic heavyweight steps up to challenge Nevada's GOP governor". The Downballot. Retrieved December 13, 2024. 'I am not at all interested in the trappings of, say, governor,' [Neronha] tells WPRI
5. Baccari, Raymond (August 2, 2024). "Kalus donates maximum contribution to top RI Democrat". WPRI-TV. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
6. Gregg, Katherine (January 27, 2025). "Is the GOP's Ashley Kalus itching for another run for RI governor? What she says". The Providence Journal. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
7. "2025-26 Gubernatorial Elections Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.