Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
35.1%
19.9%
Democrat
Helena Foulkes
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.
92.4%chance to win
$17.8KSEP 9, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleBusiness executive
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age62 years old (Jul 18, 1964)
GenderFemale
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LocationRhode Island
BackgroundBusiness executive
EducationHarvard College (A.B.), magna cum laude (1986)
Notable personal detailsHelena Grace Buonanno Foulkes is an American business executive and Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island. She spent more than 25 years at CVS, including serving as President of CVS Pharmacy, and later became CEO of Hudson’s Bay Company. She has served on major corporate boards including The Home Depot, and previously served on the Harvard Board of Overseers (including as president). She ran for Rhode Island governor in 2022 and announced a second bid for the 2026 election.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orghelenafoulkes.comapnews.comir.homedepot.comwikidata.orglinkedin.comuk.linkedin.comit.linkedin.comballotready.orgfr.linkedin.comopengov.sos.ri.govmaterials.proxyvote.comgovinfo.govdocs.sos.ri.govrhodeislandcurrent.combostonglobe.comgolocalprov.comontheissues.orgwhatsupnewp.comabc6.comtime.comdemocracyinaction.uswashingtonpost.comkffhealthnews.orgprovidencejournal.comturnto10.comwpri.comvalleybreeze.comecori.orgnews.ballotpedia.orgsteveahlquist.substack.comoceanstatemedia.orgpolitico.comyahoo.comreutersconnect.comyoutube.comfacebook.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgde.wikipedia.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orghistory.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgcongress.govcommerce.senate.govfec.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for households (proposed a one-time $500 tax credit for earners under $100,000) and opposes proposed increases in corporate taxes; favors using budget surplus for relief and targeted investments rather than raising taxes.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to insurance and strengthening state healthcare programs, has worked to boost ACA enrollment and emphasizes lowering prescription drug prices and public-health measures (e.g., removing tobacco from CVS shelves); has called for eliminating a state budget ban on abortion coverage.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports broad access to abortion and removing state-level barriers to coverage; has called abortion healthcare and backed ending the ban on abortion coverage for Medicaid and state employees while enforcing Rhode Island’s Reproductive Privacy Act.
Climate & Energy
Supports making Rhode Island a leader in clean, affordable energy, investing in municipal climate resiliency and stormwater management, and advancing offshore wind and other renewable energy projects while building local clean jobs and infrastructure. Advocates restructuring and creating permanent state funding for municipal resiliency projects and planning requirements for municipalities to prepare for climate impacts. Emphasizes infrastructure resilience (roads, stormwater, buffers, trees) and state support for local adaptation efforts.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate has publicly called for banning assault weapons and banning or limiting high-capacity magazines and has said she will push the legislature to pass gun safety legislation. She supports prioritizing gun safety reforms in Rhode Island.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 4, 2026
Helena Foulkes is in the news as a leading Democratic challenger to Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, with recent polls showing her ahead and a first primary debate turning into a sharp clash between them. Her campaign has also rolled out major policy proposals, including a $100 million career and technical education plan and a plan to raise taxes on millionaires to fund housing. She has picked up notable endorsements, including from Attorney General Peter Neronha and local labor and municipal leaders.
en.wikipedia.org+45
Articles
PJProvidence Journal (Projo)15 days ago
McKee, Foulkes clash in first Democratic primary for governor debate
Neutral
TBThe Boston Globe3 months ago
For Dan McKee, a narrow path to reelection
Positive
PJProvidence Journal (Projo)3 months ago
Foulkes proposes $100M for career and technical education in RI
Positive
TBThe Boston Globe6 months ago
Attorney General Peter Neronha shaping R.I. politics before leaving office
Positive
Latest Polls
Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Helena Foulkes currently averages 35.1%, ranking first in this race, 15.2 points ahead of the nearest opponent.
Polling average: 35.1%Position: firstMargin: +15.2 ptsLatest poll: 48.0% (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