Rhode Island
Republicans’ chances of beating Dan McKee for Rhode Island governor—Poll
A new poll delivered red flags for Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, ahead of his reelection bid next year.
Why It Matters
The poll, conducted by the University of New Hampshire, suggests that a majority of Rhode Islanders are unhappy with McKee’s leadership ahead of the 2026 midterms, when Republicans could be eyeing the race as a potential opportunity to flip, despite the state’s long-standing record of being solidly Democratic.
Although the poll did not ask about specific head-to-head matchups for the election, the results could be troubling for Democrats in the state.
The state has not elected a Republican governor since 2006, though it did support independent former Governor Lincoln Chafee in 2011.
Newsweek reached out to McKee’s campaign via email for comment.
What to Know
Only 19 percent of Rhode Islanders approve of McKee’s job performance, while 71 percent disapprove of him, according to the survey of 653 Rhode Island residents from May 22 to May 26, 2025. The poll had a margin of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
It found that 74 percent of all Rhode Island voters—including 60 percent of Democrats—do not believe McKee deserves to be reelected; only 11 percent said they think he deserves to be reelected.
Thirty-two percent of respondents said they want to see Democrat Helena Foulkes, a businesswoman who challenged McKee in 2022, to run again, while 23 percent said they want Republican Ashley Kalus to jump into the race. Only 19 percent said they want to see former Governor Gina Raimondo, who served as Commerce secretary under former President Joe Biden, run.
At the same time, the poll found that President Donald Trump is also unpopular in the state. Only 37 percent of respondents gave him positive marks, compared to 61 percent who disapproved of his performance during his first few months back in the Oval Office.
Joe Powers, chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, described the poll as a “glaring reflection of the Governor’s failed leadership and the growing dissatisfaction among Rhode Islanders” in a statement to Newsweek, pointing to the closure of the Washington Bridge, pay raises for the governor’s cabinet and the sanctuary state designation as key issues the state is facing.
“The upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race, while traditionally leaning Democratic, is poised to be highly competitive. The Republican Party of Rhode Island is committed to presenting a viable alternative—one that prioritizes transparency, fiscal responsibility, and the genuine needs of our citizens,” he said.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
While McKee remains unpopular, according to the poll, a Republican victory in the state may not be an easy feat, given the state’s Democratic lean. It backed Vice President Kamala Harris by nearly 14 points in 2024 and voted for Biden by more than 20 points in 2020.
On the presidential level, Rhode Island has not voted for a Republican since 1984.
McKee, who assumed office after Raimondo resigned to join the Biden administration, won his first full term in office in 2022, defeating Kalus by nearly 20 points.
What People Are Saying
WPRI political analyst Joe Fleming told the Providence-based news station: “The governor has some serious work to do over the next six months or so to show voters that he’s doing a good job and deserves reelection. If he can’t do that, I think you’ll see Democrats lining up to run for the office.”
McKee told WJAR in March: “I think that we’ve made a great deal of progress, keeping people safe during the COVID certainly was important, opening the businesses at that time. Keeping people safe when I shut down the bridge, the Washington Bridge, and now we’re actually in the process of rebuilding that bridge and have the money in place.”
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether McKee will face a primary challenge from fellow Democrats or which Republicans may enter the race. The primary is still more than a year away on September 8, 2026. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the race as being Solid Democratic, though Sabato’s Crystal Ball classifies it as Likely Democratic.
The Rhode Island Department of Health issued an overdose spike alert for Johnston and North Providence.
Health officials said over the past week, five Johnston and North Providence residents received medical care for a drug overdose.
According to RIDOH, these municipalities have historically lower overdose rates than the statewide average.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
Residents can visit Prevent Overdose RI connect with community harm reduction organizations and find treatment.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 12, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 12 drawing
17-32-35-40-47, Mega Ball: 17
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from May 12 drawing
Midday: 1-5-2-0
Evening: 1-6-0-3
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from May 12 drawing
23-27-29-31-35, Extra: 12
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 12 drawing
19-21-35-38-53, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
RI House speaker answers why RI won’t ‘pause’ millionaires tax push
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi fielded a question on whether lawmakers might pause efforts to pass a millionaires tax.
The fight over Rhode Island’s proposed “millionaires tax” is intensifying as lawmakers prepare their version of the state budget for the year with an unexpected $233 million tax collection windfall.
The business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, one of the groups leading opposition to higher taxes on the wealthy, on May 12 released a new report arguing that states with higher income tax rates see more people leaving for states with lower rates.
“Given the experience of Massachusetts and the positive net migration of Bay State residents to Rhode Island over the last several years, it would be particularly risky to adopt a top income tax rate that could undermine this trend,” said RIPEC CEO Michael DiBiase. “Taking on this risk is even more unwise given the recent news that state revenues will be $233 million greater than expected. There is no need to raise taxes – instead the state should focus on fiscal discipline and growing the economy.”
Massachusetts began collecting a 4% surcharge on income over $1 million in 2023 and Rhode Island leaders hoped rich Bay State residents put off by the hike would move to Rhode Island.
On the other side of the issue, the left-leaning Economic Progress Institute argued that the better-than-expected state revenue collections, while welcome, do not cover all of the money Rhode Island could be potentially losing due to cut in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Economic Progress Institute is pushing for a more aggressive tax increase − a 3% surtax on income over $640,000 − than McKee’s proposal where the higher tax rate would kick in at income over $1 million.
“It remains imperative the General Assembly pass the proposed surtax on the top one percent this year,” the EPI said in a news release. ” The surtax would generate $203 million per year in revenue, which would bring us closer to: bridging the gulf of lost federal funds, preserving critical programs, and closing the many long-standing equity gaps and crises in healthcare, education, housing, childcare, public transit, and so much more.”
Their release comes days after the Service Employees International Union Rhode Island State Council rallied at the State House in support of the “Rhode Island’s Revenue Bill,” the tax on income over $640,000. The May 7 rally could be heard during former House speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s farewell address.
What is in new RIPEC report?
RIPEC’s latest report finds that:
- Between 2020 and 2025, states with a higher top income tax rate saw higher net out-migration than states with a lower tax rate
- During the post-pandemic period of strong revenue collections, more states have lowered income taxes than raised them
- More residents moved to Rhode Island from Massachusetts (4,796) than any other state from 2020 to 2023 by a large margin. (New York was second at 1,924.)
- Taxpayers leaving Massachusetts in 2023 were on the wealthier side in 2023, making more than $200,000 per year, compared to 2022.
What does it not show?
The IRS data RIPEC analyzed only covers tax filers who make $200,000 or more in Adjusted Gross Income, so it does not show how Massachusetts residents making more than $1 million, the group whose taxes went up, reacted to the change.
And it does not include migration patterns and tax changes for 2024 or 2025.
In its release urging an income tax increase, the EPI said it estimates the state will lose more than $400 million in federal revenue starting in the fiscal year that starts July1, 202,7 from provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“Lawmakers need to be proactive for the many needs, gaps, and crises we have now as well as what’s to come – including likely more federal cuts and an upcoming fiscal cliff,” the EPI release said. “Our wealthiest Rhode Islanders can afford to do more, especially with an average annual tax break of nearly $59,000 from Washington.”
The millionaires tax in McKee’s budget is estimated to generate $135.3 million in new state revenue in a full year.
The surcharge on the 1% of earners − starting at income of $640,000 per year − is estimated to generate $203 million per year.
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