Rhode Island Republican Governor nominee?
22hElaine Pelino is now the front-runner for the Rhode Island Republican governor nomination at 53%, with a 10.0-point lead.
53%
Rhode Island Republican Governor nominee?
$9.9K
SEP 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleActress
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationRhode Island
BackgroundActress
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Notable personal detailsElaine M. Pelino is a Republican candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in the 2026 election cycle. She has described herself as a non-career politician and has run a campaign focused on government accountability, public safety, reducing costs and regulation, school choice/trade education, and Second Amendment rights. She has also been described in election coverage as a former actress and model.
SourcesShowHide
elainepelino4governor.comrhodeislandcurrent.comimdb.combostonglobe.comen.wikipedia.orgnga.orgthemidtermproject.orgelections.ri.govvote.sos.ri.govri.gopbuiltin.comri.govapnews.comrihousegop.orgbluevoterguide.orgeastgreenwichri.govethics.ri.govyahoo.comportal.momsforliberty.orgpolitics1.comrinewstoday.comeconomicprogressri.orgnationalpublicdata.comthegreenpapers.comleviathanencyclopedia.comwhales.marketfliphtml5.comimmigrantcoalitionri.orgpersonhoodflprolifepac.comwhyy.orgx.comballotpedia.orgprovidencejournal.comreutersconnect.comnewsfromthestates.comjamestownpress.comfacebook.cominstagram.compelinoforgovernor.comkalshi.comcongress.govfec.govwikidata.orgwhitehouse.senate.govappropriations.senate.govgovinfo.govclerk.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes to stimulate economic growth, including eliminating the state Social Security tax for seniors and implementing caps on property taxes; emphasizes auditing and reducing wasteful state spending. Advocates incentives to attract businesses and job creation.
Healthcare
Elaine Pelino’s campaign materials emphasize prioritizing citizens, veterans, and seniors for housing and healthcare and propose opening mental health facilities to treat violent or mentally disturbed patients. Her public statements and campaign site do not lay out specific positions on the Affordable Care Act, Medicare/Medicaid changes, a public option, or single-payer reform.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger enforcement against undocumented individuals who are felony offenders and opposes illegal welfare use; pledges to work with ICE and federal officials to remove illegal felony offenders and illegal welfare abusers from the state while prioritizing services for citizens, veterans, and seniors.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports the Second Amendment and gun ownership rights and pledges to fully support state law enforcement and resources to address violent crime. Advocates working with federal authorities on removing illegal felony offenders and prioritizing public safety while also supporting mental health facilities for violent patients.
Latest Insights
Rhode Island Republican Governor nominee?
2dElaine Pelino's odds are now 53%, past the previous high of 37%.
53%16%
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 4, 2026
Elaine Pelino is in the news as a Republican candidate in Rhode Island politics, including the GOP primary for a state Senate race. Recent campaign finance reporting says she is trailing Aaron Guckian in cash on hand. She is also listed among the Republican candidates for governor, though recent coverage has focused more on the Democratic side of that race.
elainepelino4governor.com+49
Polls
Rhode Island Republican Governor nominee?
Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
42%
17%
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Rhode Island Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Elaine Pelino for Rhode Island Republican Governor nominee?
moneygamepac
Elected official
moneygamepac endorsed Elaine Pelino for governor of Rhode Island.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising