McKee was beat by former CVS executive Helena Foulkes in a rematch of the state’s 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary, which the incumbent narrowly won.
Page F2From§Eachthe wee small hours edition — 10 September 2026
Rhode Island governor loses primary to CVS executive, first incumbent governor ousted since 2018
The ledger reads: Dan McKee, sitting governor, loses Democratic primary to Helena Foulkes, former CVS executive. This is the first time since 2018 a sitting governor has lost a primary, and the first elected governor to lose since 2014. The major networks confirm the outcome, with NBC projecting Foulkes the winner and multiple outlets noting the business background. The receipts are precise: the ouster is rare, three incumbents falling across Rhode Island primaries, but the governor’s defeat stands out. The gap is visible—politics and pharmacy, merged at the register. What’s the price, hon? The state’s top job, exchanged for a rewards card. The numbers reconcile: the party’s ask, the business’s invoice, and the people’s receipt, all scanned in one transaction. The pattern repeats: Providence’s mayor falls to a Democratic socialist, Reed wins easily, but the headline is the governor’s loss—first since 2018, an elected incumbent since 2014, and the business tie is itemized. The balance sheet closes: democracy, with a coupon stapled to it.
“You spend a lifetime in office, and the moment you blink, a CVS receipt takes your place. They say democracy is about the people, but the ballot’s got a barcode now. The only thing not scanned is your lunch.”
“Rhode Island is a great state, and the people have spoken. Sure, the governor lost, but that’s just healthy competition. We’re not saying business interests have undue influence, but, well, everyone loves CVS. Did I say that? That doesn’t sound like me.”
The receipts
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is the first sitting governor nationwide to lose a primary in eight years.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has lost his Democratic primary to former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, NBC News projects, after facing a significant spending disadvantage and voter discontent with his tenure. NBC News' Steve Kornacki breaks down the numbers.
Gov. Dan McKee (D-RI) on Wednesday lost Rhode Island’s Democratic primary to former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes, making him the first incumbent governor in years nationwide to lose renomination. Just before 9 p.m., Foulkes was leading McKee 62.5% to 37.5% with 80% of the votes counted, according to the Associated Press.
Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes defeated the Rhode Island governor in the Democratic primary after he failed to corral a growing political crisis around a bridge.
Ms. Foulkes, a former CVS executive, had hammered Mr. McKee for his handling of a bridge closure that created traffic nightmares.
Costco board member, former CVS exec avenges narrow 2022 loss to Gov. Dan McKee in high-stakes Rhode Island rematch. McKee is the first sitting governor to lose aparty primary in years.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.