Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
30.8%
16.1%
Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
$9.6K
SEP 9, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusiness executive
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age61 years old (Jul 18, 1964)
GenderFemale
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LocationRhode Island
BackgroundBusiness executive
EducationHarvard College (A.B.), 1986
Notable personal detailsHelena Grace Foulkes is an American business executive and Democratic candidate in Rhode Island politics. She previously served as CEO of Hudson's Bay Company and held senior leadership roles at CVS Pharmacy/CVS Health, including as president of CVS Pharmacy. She ran for the Democratic nomination for governor of Rhode Island in 2022 and launched a second campaign for governor in 2025. She is a Harvard University alumna and served on the Harvard Board of Overseers, including as its president (2021–2022).
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgapnews.comhelenafoulkes.comwikidata.orgnationaltoday.comoceanstatemedia.orgprogressive-charlestown.comri.govfortune.comde.wikipedia.orgthenewportbuzz.comrimonthly.comwral.comcdn2.creativecirclemedia.comrhodeislandcurrent.comepsilon.creativecirclecdn.comcarenewengland.orgelections.ri.govbostonglobe.comgolocalprov.comontheissues.orgwhatsupnewp.comabc6.comtime.comdemocracyinaction.uswashingtonpost.comkffhealthnews.orgseattletimes.comstatic.votesmart.orgcontext-cdn.washingtonpost.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgnga.org
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 19, 2026
Helena Foulkes is drawing attention in Rhode Island’s Democratic governor race with a series of policy proposals and a strong showing in recent polling. She recently proposed a $100 million plan for new career and technical schools and earlier rolled out a millionaire tax plan to help fund housing, including more affordable homes. She has also picked up notable endorsements, including from Attorney General Peter Neronha, while using campaign stops to criticize Gov. Dan McKee over the state’s troubled ERP system. Recent polls show her leading McKee by 16 points in the primary.
en.wikipedia.org+31
Articles
PJProvidence Journal (Projo)6 days ago
Foulkes proposes $100M for career and technical education in RI
Positive
PJProvidence Journal (Projo)15 days ago
Foulkes wants hearing on RI's $99M financial system
Neutral
TBThe Boston Globe2 months ago
Attorney General Peter Neronha shaping R.I. politics before leaving office
Positive
TBThe Boston Globe2 months ago
R.I. AG Neronha endorses Foulkes in primary against Governor McKee
Positive
Polls
Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Helena Foulkes for Rhode Island Democratic Governor nominee?
Peter Neronha
Elected official
Peter Neronha endorsed Helena Foulkes for governor in the 2026 Democratic primary.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising