Nasty Rhode Island governor rematch raises accusations of opioid peddling, nepotism and who’s the real outsider

Four years ago, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee secured his narrow victory in the Democratic primary, dismissing his opponent Helena Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, upon receiving his conceded phone call. Now, Foulkes is challenging McKee to a rematch, wary of becoming the first Rhode Island governor to lose a primary in more than three decades and the first U.S. governor to lose a primary since 2018.

Foulkes, who has outraised McKee, has flooded the airwaves with campaign ads as Democratic voters increasingly show willingness to unseat incumbents.

The bridge repair project looms large over McKee's campaign; the Westbound side of Washington Bridge in Providence was shut down in 2023 after officials flagged a "critical failure," leading to a partial closure that disrupts daily traffic and has taken longer to repair than anticipated. McKee maintains that safety was his top priority and that bridge completion by 2028 is still on track. Critics, including Foulkes, argue that the delays and increased costs are a reflection of his leadership.

McKee has targeted Foulkes' work at CVS, alleging she fueled the opioid crisis while he points to her record of reducing opioid distribution by 40% during her tenure as president of CVS' Pharmacy division. Foulkes, however, contends that CVS reduced opioid dispersal by 40% during her presidency and that the company settled a $5 billion lawsuit without admitting wrongdoing.

McKee's attacks have angered employees of the Woonsocket-based CVS, who have threatened to leave the state if he continues criticising the company. The race, though Democratic-leaning, is far from decided; the winner will likely go on to secure the general election.