Gov Dan McKee faces primary rematch amid Washington Bridge construction delays
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is facing a difficult primary challenge driven by public frustration over the long-term closure of the Washington Bridge. The race has become a referendum on his administration's management of infrastructure and his political viability.
Why it matters
Local infrastructure failures often serve as the primary catalyst for political turnover, illustrating the impact of governance on incumbent success.
Democratic Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island is fighting for his political life in the smallest U.S. state's primary elections on Wednesday as he faces potential downfall stemming from the nearly three-year partial closure of a crucial bridge. McKee first assumed office in March 2021 when then-Gov. Gina Raimondo stepped down to become U.S. Commerce secretary. He was then elected four years ago for a full term. Now, McKee is trying to avoid becoming the nation's first elected governor in a dozen years to lose renomination. The governor is facing off in a primary rematch with Helena Buonanno Foulkes, a former longtime executive with CVS, which is based in Rhode Island. THESE 12 MIDTERM RACES WILL DECIDE WHICH PARTY CONTROLS THE SENATE McKee narrowly edged Foulkes, who is the niece of former Democratic Sen.
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