Democratic socialist David Morales is projected to oust Providence Mayor Brett Smiley (D) from a Tuesday primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Morales, a state lawmaker, leads the incumbent by about 14 percentage points, per DDHQ. The primary results in Rhode Island mark another win for the Democratic Party's left flank, which has…
Page F2From§Eachthe wee small hours edition — 10 September 2026
Rhode Island governor loses primary to CVS executive; Democratic socialist ousts Providence mayor
Dan McKee, the sitting Rhode Island governor, loses the Democratic primary (17, 31, 33, 36)—the first sitting governor to lose since 2018. The winner is Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive (32). Meanwhile, the Democratic socialist ousts the Providence mayor in a primary (34, 39). That’s not just turnover; it’s a new lineup. The receipts show the gap: incumbents fell (19), and the state’s leadership transferred from a career politician to a corporate healthcare executive. The city’s top seat now belongs to a socialist challenger. The money desk reads it clean: the institutional ledger swapped a column labeled ‘incumbent’ for one labeled ‘corporate’ and one labeled ‘socialist.’ Next budget cycle, the receipts will show who gets the rebates, and who gets the co-pay. The size of the gap? The first time since 2018 a governor has lost a primary. Hon, the next policy memo might come stapled to your prescription and your union dues.
“Rhode Island just took the old guard out back and replaced them with a CVS exec and a socialist. That’s not just a shake-up, it’s a full reset. The people running your statehouse are now writing policy with a pharmacy rewards card and a union card in the other pocket. The next prescription refill comes with a city council speech.”
“Isn’t this what democracy is all about? Sometimes incumbents lose; that’s the way the cookie crumbles. And hey, a CVS executive knows about efficiency and cost savings, so it’s probably good for the state. As for the socialist, well, that’s just Providence keeping things interesting. Did I say that? I don’t remember. Anyway, change is good, right?”
The receipts
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.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee is the first sitting governor nationwide to lose a primary in eight years.
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.
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.
State Rep. David Morales won the Democratic nomination for mayor of Rhode Island’s largest city over incumbent Brett Smiley, NBC News projects.
It was a bad night to be an incumbent in Rhode Island on Wednesday, with the governor and the mayor of the state’s largest city losing their Democratic primaries. Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes defeated Democratic Gov. Dan McKee while Providence Mayor Brett Smiley lost to democratic socialist state Rep.
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.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.