Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
19.9%
35.1%
Democrat
Incumbent
IncumbentDan McKee
Incumbent Democratic candidate for Governor in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
$17.8K
SEP 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
4.2%chance to win
$17.8KSEP 9, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleGovernor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age75 years old (Jun 16, 1951)
GenderMale
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LocationRhode Island
BackgroundPolitician
EducationAssumption University (B.A.)
Notable personal detailsDaniel J. McKee is an American politician and businessperson who has served as the 76th Governor of Rhode Island since March 2, 2021. He previously served as Rhode Island’s lieutenant governor (2015–2021) and held local office in Cumberland, including town council member and mayor. He earned a B.A. from Assumption University and an M.P.A. from Harvard University.
SourcesShowHide
nga.orgen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orggovernor.ri.govopengov.sos.ri.govdan-mackie.comusa.govdocs.sos.ri.govpresidentialprayerteam.orgcranstonri.govmultistate.useverythingdanmckee.comfacebook.comkids.kiddle.cooha.ri.govde.wikipedia.orgdanmccay.comwebserver.rilegislature.govltgov.ri.govarchives.govapnews.comgovernordanmckee.comthepublicsradio.orgbostonglobe.comabc6.comclimatechange.ri.govprovidencejournal.comteamster.orgwhatsupnewp.comrhodeislandcurrent.comneari.orginstagram.comballotpedia.orgwpri.comnews.ballotpedia.orgturnto10.comoceanstatemedia.orgpolitico.comyahoo.comcdn.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orghistory.house.govcongress.govballotready.orggovinfo.govreed.senate.govsenate.govwhitehouse.senate.govcommerce.senate.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax increases on high earners and certain business activities while expanding tax relief and refundable credits for lower- and middle-income residents; advances budget proposals that avoid broad-based tax hikes but create new revenue tiers and program-specific taxes to fund spending priorities.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable care through strengthening Medicaid and state health system reforms, investing in primary care and behavioral health, and creating a Health Care System Planning Cabinet to evaluate systemic changes. Prioritizes improving Medicaid managed care oversight, raising or reviewing provider reimbursement rates, and using federal grants to expand rural health access.
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Immigration & Border
Supports welcoming refugees and protecting immigrants in the state while allowing cooperation with federal law enforcement in criminal cases; favors a path to legal status for undocumented residents and opposes warrantless detentions or profiling by state authorities.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive health care, including codifying Roe v. Wade protections and removing restrictions on abortion coverage; has signed state actions to protect patients and providers and backed legislation to ensure Medicaid and other coverage for abortion services.
Climate & Energy
Dan McKee has advanced binding climate legislation and state programs to rapidly cut greenhouse gas emissions, including signing the 2021 Act on Climate with enforceable emissions-reduction mandates and a law requiring 100% of Rhode Island’s electricity be offset by renewable energy by 2033. His administration has promoted clean-energy programs (heat pump incentives, Clean Heat RI) and funded climate planning, resilience, and environmental-justice initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Public Safety & Guns
Dan McKee supports significant gun-safety measures including banning the sale/manufacture of certain assault-style weapons, banning large-capacity magazines, raising the minimum age to purchase firearms to 21, and enacting safe-storage requirements. He has included an assault-weapons ban in his budget proposals, publicly called for passage of such bans, and signed related gun-safety legislation as governor.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 4, 2026
Dan McKee is in the news mainly because his reelection fight in Rhode Island’s Democratic governor primary is tightening and getting more combative. He has been clashing with challenger Helena Foulkes over issues like the Washington Bridge closure, transparency, and her business background, while polls show him trailing her. McKee has also been trying to shore up support, including a Teamsters Local 251 endorsement, as he faces criticism over his handling of state issues such as transit cuts and the blizzard emergency response.
nga.org+52
Articles
PJProvidence Journal (Projo)15 days ago
McKee, Foulkes clash in first Democratic primary for governor debate
Negative
TBThe Boston Globe2 months ago
What Dan McKee's attacks on CVS say about the state of his campaign
Negative
TBThe Boston Globe3 months ago
For Dan McKee, a narrow path to reelection
Negative
TBThe Boston Globe5 months ago
RIPTA cuts were a mistake and must be reversed
Negative
Latest Polls
Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Dan McKee currently averages 19.9%, ranking second in this race, 15.2 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 19.9%Position: secondMargin: -15.2 ptsLatest poll: 28.0% (Aug 3 - 11)Polls included: 11
Average recalculated from polls through Aug 3 - 11.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising