Governor · Rhode Island

Incumbent: Dan McKee (Democratic) · Incumbent lost renomination
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026

← All Rhode Island races

The candidates

Aaron Guckian

Republican

Former chair of the Warwick Sewer Authority and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: golocalprov.com

Helena Foulkes

Democratic

Former CVS executive, niece of former U.S. senator Chris Dodd, and candidate for governor in 2022.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: providencejournal.com

Ken Block

Independent

Founder of the Moderate Party of Rhode Island, Moderate Party nominee for governor in 2010 and Republican candidate in 2014.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: turnto10.com

Jasjit Gotra

Independent

Businessman.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: vote.sos.ri.gov

CD Reynolds

Independent

Perennial candidate.

Background via Wikipedia race page

Candidates checked against the official list: state election office source. Candidate list compiled from the Wikipedia race page and the sources on each profile. Check your official sample ballot before voting.

Where they stand: Guckian vs. Foulkes

Topic rows are grouped by Vote Book; the headings and quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” means a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote. A yellow tag means no public position was found on that topic.

Immigration & border
GuckianNo public position foundFoulkes

What actions will you take to ensure all residents are treated with dignity, civilian’s constitutional rights are protected, and people’s rights to free speech, assembly, and civic participation are not violated during any immigration enforcement activity occurring within our state?

What Trump is doing with his ICE agents across the country is horrific and outrageous. They are terrorizing communities and people are rightfully afraid – kids are staying home from school, people are missing work, and our small businesses are hurting because of the fear people are living in. It’s the job of the governor to protect people and that’s exactly what I’ll do as your next governor. That means ensuring all residents are treated with dignity and that their constitutional rights to free speech, assembly and civic participation are protected. I’d also partner with organizations like Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island to ensure every Rhode Islander's basic rights are protected during immigration enforcement actions.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411
Health care
GuckianNo public position foundFoulkes

Reimagining Rhode Island Healthcare

Making Quality, Affordable Healthcare Accessible for All Rhode Islanders
Original: helenafoulkes.com/plans (accessed Oct 16, 2026)
Education
GuckianNo public position foundFoulkes

What will you do to combat the underlying issues driving the inflation rate such as the rising costs of housing, childcare, energy, and groceries?

Rhode Islanders are getting squeezed by rising costs. My housing plan will create 20,000 new homes and apartments, paid for with a millionaire’s tax. I’m a mom of four and a new grandmother. I meet parents all across the state who are struggling with the cost of childcare. That’s why I’m proposing a Rhode Island employer-matched childcare fund, starting with a $20 million pilot, designed to reduce the cost of care for working parents. Rhode Islanders are feeling the pressure of their utility bills like never before. I will work to lower your electricity bills and meet our climate commitments—and that starts by holding our out-of-state utility company accountable.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411
Jobs, wages & cost of living
GuckianNo public position foundFoulkes

What are the most important challenges facing our state and what do you propose to address them?

The number one issue I hear about is housing. There isn’t a single city or town in our state where someone making less than $100,000 per year can afford the median home. My housing plan uses the millionaire's tax to create 20,000 new homes and apartments that Rhode Islanders can actually afford. As governor, I’ll fight to make sure everyone can afford to live and raise their family here.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411
Elections, ethics & government
GuckianNo public position foundFoulkes

What actions will you take to protect the constitutional rights to assemble and peacefully protest?

Strong Democratic governors are the last line of defense against the chaos and cruelty coming out of the Trump administration. As governor, I’ll protect Rhode Islanders’ right to assemble and peacefully protest safely across our state and ensure every Rhode Islander can exercise their constitutional rights freely.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411

What actions will you take to uphold the constitutional balance between federal and state authority in the administration of our state‑run elections?

There’s no question that our elections are under attack under the Trump administration. As governor, I will work closely with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and Attorney General to ensure that Rhode Island’s elections remain free and fair and without interference. I also support Secretary Amore’s efforts to move Rhode Island’s primary earlier in the year— we should be doing everything we can to make sure people have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
Candidate's own answer to the League of Women Voters, via VOTE411
Other priorities
GuckianNo public position foundFoulkes

The Rhode Home Program

Increasing Supply and Making Housing Affordable for all Rhode Islanders
Original: helenafoulkes.com/plans (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

You Shouldn’t Have to Know a Guy

Ensuring the State House Works for All Rhode Islanders, Not Just the Insiders
Original: helenafoulkes.com/plans (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

Other candidates on the ballot

Ken Block (Independent)

Government shouldn't be allowed to hide the cost of government

My plan targets hidden and regressive taxes, fees, and government-imposed costs that are driving the affordability crisis in Rhode Island.
Original: blockforgovernor.com/issues.php (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

Reduce government-imposed costs on electric bills

My administration would target a significant reduction in residential and business electric bills by eliminating unnecessary government-imposed costs and moving appropriate and necessary taxation from electric bills to other, fairer mechanisms available to the state.
Original: blockforgovernor.com/issues.php (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

8 more positions on profile →

Jasjit Gotra (Independent)

Five Promises

The five things Jay will focus on as Governor. Fixed. Non-negotiable.
Original: governorgotra.com/policies (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

Rhode Island Ranked 44th in Energy Affordability. We End That.

Rhode Island ranks 44th in the nation in energy affordability. We get 89% of our electricity from natural gas — most of it imported. We consume 21 times more energy than we produce. Every dollar of energy profit leaves this state, flowing to utility shareholders headquartered in Pennsylvania.
Original: governorgotra.com/policies (accessed Oct 16, 2026)

9 more positions on profile →

CD Reynolds (Independent)

No public position found

Know something we’re missing? Tell us: hello@getvotebook.com Inbox pending setup — messages may not be read yet. Please include a link to the source (official site, questionnaire, debate or news report). We add positions only with a source and treat every candidate the same way.

Official voting records

The same nine Senate votes (or three House votes) are shown for every current member of Congress running, so records can be compared across races. Click a roll call for the official tally.

No congressional voting record for: Ken Block, Helena Foulkes, Jasjit Gotra, Aaron Guckian, CD Reynolds. State legislative or local records are not yet compiled.