Dem incumbent becomes first sitting governor to lose primary since 2018

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee lost his Democratic primary Wednesday to businesswoman Helena Foulkes, becoming the first sitting governor in the country since 2018 to be denied his party's nomination.

Foulkes, a former CVS executive and current Costco board member, defeated McKee in a rematch of their closely fought 2022 Democratic primary, when McKee edged her by just a few percentage points. 

McKee's defeat Wednesday adds another incumbent to a growing list of officeholders ousted during the 2026 primary season.