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.
Page B2From§Eachthe milkman edition — 10 September 2026
Rhode Island governor loses primary to CVS executive, ending five-year streak of incumbents surviving
The Democratic primary in Rhode Island ended a five-year streak of incumbent survival as Governor Dan McKee lost to Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive. Three outlets confirmed the defeat and the streak: Fox News, CBS, NBC, and The Hill. Providence’s mayor was ousted by a democratic socialist, and the governor’s loss marks the first time since 2018 a sitting governor was unseated in a Democratic primary. The office passes from public servant to corporate leader, and the prescription for leadership is now written at the pharmacy counter. Survived by the old guard, preceded in death by five years of incumbency, and the new script is filled by CVS. In lieu of flowers, voters are invited to check their co-pay.
“When the local boss gets ousted by a pharmacy exec, you really see who's writing the prescriptions. Incumbents have hung on for years, but this time, the refill goes to the new brand. The streak is dead; the new script comes from CVS.”
“This is the beauty of democracy—sometimes outsiders win. The governor was a strong leader, but voters wanted change, and that's healthy. Did I say healthy? I mean, competitive. Anyway, a fresh face is just what Rhode Island needs.”
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.
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.