Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
19%
Independent
Ken Block
Rhode Island Governor winner?
$8.9K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleSoftware engineer
PartyIndependent
Political ideologyCentrist Independent
Age60 years old (Oct 11, 1965)
GenderMale
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LocationRhode Island
BackgroundSoftware engineer
EducationDartmouth College (1983–1987)
Notable personal detailsKenneth J. Block is an American software engineer and businessman based in Rhode Island who founded the Moderate Party of Rhode Island and ran for governor in 2010. He later sought the Republican nomination for governor in 2014 and announced another run for governor in 2026 as an independent. He has operated software/data-mining businesses including Simpatico Software Systems and has been active in Rhode Island political reform efforts such as advocating to end straight-ticket (“master lever”) voting.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgblockforgovernor.comlinkedin.comtime.comballot-access.orgbrowndailyherald.comme.shindependentpoliticalreport.compbn.comrilawyersweekly.comthepublicsradio.orgrhodeislandcurrent.comcookpolitical.comelections.ri.govpublicpolicypolling.comgolocalprov.comabc6.comanchorrising.compbs.orgbostonglobe.comepsilon.creativecirclecdn.compressherald.comjamestownpress.compolitifact.comgovtech.comstateofthestateri.comtax.ri.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgedition-prod-cf.sitemirror.cnn.comamp.cnn.commoney.cnn.comcdn.cnn.comvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgdonate.ballotpedia.orgclients.ballotpedia.orgwikidata.orgnga.orges.wikipedia.org
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.
Polls
Rhode Island Governor winner?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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