Governor of Rhode Island

Statewide — all of Rhode Island

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Sources re-checked October 19, 2026 · How we research

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Dan McKee sought a second full term but lost the Sept. 9, 2026 Democratic primary to Helena Foulkes, 62.5% to 37.5% (81,314 votes to 48,872). It was the first time since 1994 that a Rhode Island governor lost renomination.[1]
Republican primary (Sept. 9, 2026): Aaron Guckian defeated Elaine Pelino 50.6% to 49.4% (11,691 to 11,432 votes); Pelino requested a recount, which did not change the outcome.[1]
Ken Block, founder of the Moderate Party of Rhode Island, is running as an independent; Jasjit Gotra and C.D. Reynolds also qualified for the November ballot as independents.[1][7][8]
The lieutenant governor is a separate office on the 2026 ballot, with its own candidates.[8]

On the ballot · 5 candidates

Helena FoulkesDFormer CVS executive; former CEO of Hudson's Bay CompanyFull profile →Aaron GuckianRFormer head of the Rhode Island Dental AssociationFull profile →Ken BlockINDFounder, Moderate Party of Rhode Island; former president of RI TaxpayersFull profile →Jasjit GotraINDFull profile →C.D. ReynoldsINDFull profile →

Issue evidence — side by side

Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.

Protect legal access to abortion

Helena Foulkes
—
Aaron Guckian
—
Ken Block
Supports[3]
Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he has always been pro-choice.
Jasjit Gotra
—
C.D. Reynolds
—

Expand immigration enforcement and deportations

Helena Foulkes
Opposes[3]
Said at the Oct. 7 debate that ICE would not be welcome in Rhode Island under her governorship.
Aaron Guckian
Supports[3]
Asked at the Oct. 7 debate whether ICE would be welcome in Rhode Island, he said yes.
Ken Block
Mixed[3]
Said ICE operations cause fear and that there is a humane way to enforce immigration laws.
Jasjit Gotra
—
C.D. Reynolds
—

Loosen zoning rules to build more housing

Helena Foulkes
—
Aaron Guckian
—
Ken Block
—
Jasjit Gotra
In their own words[9]
“This is not a market failure. It is a supply failure — caused by a permitting system that takes years, a regulatory environment that makes building expensive before a single nail is driven, and a government that owns significant parcels of underutilized land and does nothing with them.”
In his 'OWN RI' housing plan on his campaign site
C.D. Reynolds
—

Raise taxes on high earners or corporations

Helena Foulkes
Supports[2][3]
Proposes dedicating revenue from a millionaire's tax to a revolving loan fund for housing construction.
Aaron Guckian
Opposes[3][5]
Opposes the millionaire's tax Foulkes proposes for housing, calling it more spending.
Ken Block
—
Jasjit Gotra
In their own words[9]
“No new taxes. Just accountability.”
On his campaign site's Policies page, under 'Make RI Profitable' (a general pledge, not specific to high earners or corporations)
C.D. Reynolds
—

Faster transition away from fossil fuels

Helena Foulkes
—
Aaron Guckian
—
Ken Block
—
Jasjit Gotra
In their own words[9]
“Convert Rhode Island's closed landfills and brownfields into utility-scale solar farms.”
In his 'POWER RI 2040' energy plan on his campaign site
C.D. Reynolds
—

Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports

Helena Foulkes
Opposes[3]
Said at the Oct. 7 debate that she supports allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.
Aaron Guckian
Supports[3]
Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he opposes allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.
Ken Block
Supports[3]
Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he opposes allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.
Jasjit Gotra
—
C.D. Reynolds
—

ISSUE	Helena Foulkes D	Aaron Guckian R	Ken Block IND	Jasjit Gotra IND	C.D. Reynolds IND
Protect legal access to abortion	—	—	Supports[3] Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he has always been pro-choice.	—	—
Expand immigration enforcement and deportations	Opposes[3] Said at the Oct. 7 debate that ICE would not be welcome in Rhode Island under her governorship.	Supports[3] Asked at the Oct. 7 debate whether ICE would be welcome in Rhode Island, he said yes.	Mixed[3] Said ICE operations cause fear and that there is a humane way to enforce immigration laws.	—	—
Loosen zoning rules to build more housing	—	—	—	In their own words[9] “This is not a market failure. It is a supply failure — caused by a permitting system that takes years, a regulatory environment that makes building expensive before a single nail is driven, and a government that owns significant parcels of underutilized land and does nothing with them.” In his 'OWN RI' housing plan on his campaign site	—
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations	Supports[2][3] Proposes dedicating revenue from a millionaire's tax to a revolving loan fund for housing construction.	Opposes[3][5] Opposes the millionaire's tax Foulkes proposes for housing, calling it more spending.	—	In their own words[9] “No new taxes. Just accountability.” On his campaign site's Policies page, under 'Make RI Profitable' (a general pledge, not specific to high earners or corporations)	—
Faster transition away from fossil fuels	—	—	—	In their own words[9] “Convert Rhode Island's closed landfills and brownfields into utility-scale solar farms.” In his 'POWER RI 2040' energy plan on his campaign site	—
Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports	Opposes[3] Said at the Oct. 7 debate that she supports allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.	Supports[3] Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he opposes allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.	Supports[3] Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he opposes allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.	—	—

Research notes & limits

The lieutenant governor is listed as a separate office with its own candidates. Record sections are empty because no officeholder record was researched. Ballotpedia was blocked from this environment (bot challenge), and the Board of Elections and Secretary of State candidate lists could not be loaded. The five-candidate slate (Foulkes, Guckian, Block, Gotra, Reynolds) is confirmed by two independent sources, NPR/New England Public Media and The Green Papers, in addition to the Wikipedia race page, which is also the source for primary results. Foulkes's and Guckian's positions rest mostly on NBC 10 coverage of the Oct. 7 debate and on Foulkes's campaign plans page; Guckian's campaign site was not reachable. Official lists checked again on 2026-10-19: the Board of Elections upcoming-elections page lists only the Nov. 3 date, and the Secretary of State's vote.sos.ri.gov candidate pages are blocked by a bot challenge, so the slate remains news-only (NEPM and The Green Papers). Update: Gotra's positions come from his campaign site's Policies page; he is now 'basic'. Reynolds has no public issue statements found.

Sources · 28

Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.

1.2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · 2026-10-19 Reference
2.Helena Foulkes calls for millionaire's tax to spur housing growth · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-03-02 News report
3.Foulkes, Guckian, Block spar over housing, Morales, abortion in NBC 10 debate · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-10-07 News report
4.Helena's Plans for Rhode Island · Helena Foulkes for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
5.Beyond the Podium: Republican Guckian defends resume in run for governor · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-08-31 News report
6.Ken Block for Governor · Ken Block for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
7.Rhode Island primary election results: Foulkes and Morales topple incumbents · New England Public Media · 2026-09-10 News report
8.Rhode Island 2026 General Election · The Green Papers · 2026-10-19 Reference
9.Policies · Gotra for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
10.Helena Foulkes · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
11.2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
12.Helena Foulkes calls for millionaire's tax to spur housing growth · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-03-02 News report
13.Helena Foulkes wins Democratic nomination for R.I. governor · The Brown Daily Herald · 2026-09-09 News report
14.Beyond the Podium: Republican Guckian defends resume in run for governor · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-08-31 News report
15.2022 Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
16.Foulkes, Guckian, Block spar over housing, Morales, abortion in NBC 10 debate · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-10-07 News report
17.Aaron Guckian - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
18.Ken Block (politician) · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
19.Ken Block for Governor · Ken Block for Governor · 2026-10-19 Candidate's own words
20.Foulkes, Guckian, Block spar over housing, Morales, abortion in NBC 10 debate · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-10-07 News report
21.Ken Block is running for governor again. This time as an independent. · Rhode Island Current · 2026-04-02 News report
22.2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
23.Rhode Island primary election results: Foulkes and Morales topple incumbents · New England Public Media · 2026-09-10 News report
24.Former solar sales CEO being sued by AG launches Rhode Island gubernatorial campaign · Rhode Island Current · 2026-05-12 News report
25.Election26: As governor, Gotra would 'listen to the people doing the work' · Providence Business News · 2026-10-19 News report
26.Indian American Jay Gotra running for governor of Rhode Island · American Bazaar · 2026-06-03 News report
27.2026 Rhode Island gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
28.Rhode Island primary election results: Foulkes and Morales topple incumbents · New England Public Media · 2026-09-10 News report