Governor of Rhode Island
Aaron Guckian
Former head of the Rhode Island Dental AssociationR
- Race
- Governor of Rhode Island
- Election
- 2026-11-03
- Opponents
- Helena Foulkes (D); Ken Block (IND); Jasjit Gotra (IND); C.D. Reynolds (IND)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did3 statements · 0 votes
It's more spending. More spending. It doesn't work.
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotGovernor
2026-11-03
| Helena Foulkes D | challenger |
| Aaron Guckian R | challenger |
| Ken Block IND | challenger |
| Jasjit Gotra IND | challenger |
| C.D. Reynolds IND | challenger |
Won the Sept. 9 Republican primary over Elaine Pelino by 259 votes; a recount did not change the result.
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
It's more spending. More spending. It doesn't work.
Opposes the millionaire's tax Foulkes proposes for housing, calling it more spending.[4][5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Yes. We need to get the bad actors out.
Asked at the Oct. 7 debate whether ICE would be welcome in Rhode Island, he said yes.[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Said at the Oct. 7 debate that he opposes allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports.
Documented position[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Aaron Guckian is the Republican nominee for governor. A former Rhode Island Dental Association leader, teacher and banker, he was a special assistant to Gov. Don Carcieri and was the 2022 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. He campaigns on lowering taxes and fees, opposing a millionaire's tax and truck tolls, and working with the Trump administration.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Guckian is an East Greenwich native and a former college basketball player.[1] He graduated from East Greenwich High School and earned a bachelor's degree in music and education from Connecticut College, a master's degree in music from Rhode Island College and an MBA from Johnson and Wales University; he cites two master's degrees as part of his résumé.[6][1] He coaches for the East Greenwich Basketball Association and the East Greenwich Soccer Association, according to Ballotpedia.[6]
Guckian has worked as a teacher and in banking and nonprofit work, including as a vice president at Bank Newport, an officer at The Washington Trust Company and a development officer at the Rhode Island Foundation.[1][6] About two decades ago he served as a special assistant to Gov. Don Carcieri, and he most recently led the Rhode Island Dental Association.[1][6]
Guckian was the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022 and lost to Democrat Sabina Matos, 43.1 percent to 51.2 percent.[2][1] He won the Republican nomination for governor in the September 9, 2026 primary.[1][3][6]
In their own words
Priorities
- Lower taxes and fees: he describes Rhode Island as 'the state of toos' with too many taxes, fees and speed cameras and high electricity bills.[5]
- Opposes a millionaire's tax and the return of Rhode Island's truck tolls; would cut the tax on second homes.[5][4]
- Says he would work with the Trump administration to bring funding to Rhode Island.[4]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/aaron-guckian
Compare all 5 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Beyond the Podium: Republican Guckian defends resume in run for governor · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-08-31 News report
- 2.2022 Rhode Island lieutenant gubernatorial election · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference
- 3.Foulkes, Guckian, Block spar over housing, Morales, abortion in NBC 10 debate · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-10-07 News report
- 4.Foulkes, Guckian, Block spar over housing, Morales, abortion in NBC 10 debate · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-10-07 News report
- 5.Beyond the Podium: Republican Guckian defends resume in run for governor · NBC 10 (WJAR) · 2026-08-31 News report
- 6.Aaron Guckian - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia · 2026-10-21 Reference