Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
19%
Independent
Ken Block
Independent candidate for Governor in Rhode Island
$15.0K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds — Rhode Island Governor winner?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
4%chance to win
$15.0KNOV 7, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleSoftware engineer
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyCentrist Independent
Age60 years old (Oct 11, 1965)
GenderMale
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LocationRhode Island
BackgroundSoftware engineer
EducationDartmouth College (B.A., Computer Science)
Notable personal detailsKenneth J. Block is a Rhode Island businessman and software engineer who founded the Moderate Party of Rhode Island and the data-analytics firm Simpatico Software Systems. He was the Moderate Party nominee for Governor of Rhode Island in 2010 and sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2014. He has been active in election and government reform efforts in Rhode Island, including litigation over ballot access laws, and has worked in voter-data analytics and election integrity.
SourcesShowHide
blockforgovernor.comen.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orglinkedin.comdartmouthalumnimagazine.compolitifact.comde.wikipedia.orgelections.ri.goves.wikipedia.orglegalclarity.orgopengov.sos.ri.govpredictionedge.comrhodeislandcurrent.comupload.wikimedia.orgvote.sos.ri.govriaclu.orgpbn.comgolocalprov.comabc6.combrowndailyherald.comanchorrising.compbs.orgbostonglobe.comepsilon.creativecirclecdn.compressherald.comjamestownpress.comgovtech.comstateofthestateri.comtax.ri.govforwardparty.comprovidencejournal.comjoebroadmeadowblog.comwpri.comwhatsupnewp.comyahoo.comfacebook.cominstagram.comballotpedia.orgx.comnga.orghistory.house.govfec.govsenate.govcongress.govballotready.orgreed.senate.govclerk.house.govgovinfo.govcommerce.senate.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering business and personal tax burdens to make Rhode Island more business‑friendly and to retain/attract companies; proposes targeted tax changes such as eliminating or reducing minimum corporate taxes and experimenting with sales-tax zones near state borders to boost cross‑border sales; emphasizes reducing wasteful government spending to relieve taxpayers.
Healthcare
Ken Block has criticized the Affordable Care Act/’Obamacare’ and Rhode Island’s HealthSource RI exchange, arguing the state cannot afford the law’s mandates and exchange. He has also focused on alleged waste and fraud in Rhode Island health and human services programs and advocated for cutting or reworking budgetary healthcare spending.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Ken Block has said he did not want his party to focus on divisive social issues such as abortion, and has been reported to describe abortion as a legal right and to support keeping Roe v. Wade in place. His public statements emphasize avoiding social-issue debates while indicating support for abortion remaining legally protected under Roe.
Climate & Energy
Supports alternative and renewable energy development, endorses projects like the Deepwater Wind offshore wind farm, and says Rhode Island should lessen dependence on fossil fuels and create green jobs through such projects.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes new statewide restrictions on firearms and does not intend to change Rhode Island’s existing gun laws; he has defended Second Amendment rights and criticized efforts to divest pension funds from gun manufacturers. He has argued that mental health and criminal intent, not the weapon, are the primary causes of gun violence and has expressed skepticism that an assault-weapons ban would reduce crime.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Ken Block is in the news because the Rhode Island Republican gubernatorial nomination is still undecided ahead of the Sept. 9 primary. The latest coverage says early voting is set to begin in five weeks, but it does not report any nominee or final result yet.
blockforgovernor.com+48
Latest Polls
Rhode Island Governor winner?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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