RHODE ISLAND VOTES IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES ON BRIDGE AND POLICY

Rhode Island held Democratic primary elections on Wednesday, with two significant results in races for governor and mayor. Dan McKee became the first sitting governor in Rhode Island to lose a primary election since 1994, defeated by Helena Foulkes, a former CVS executive. David Morales, a State Representative and vocal critic of Israeli policy, won the Democratic mayoral primary for Providence, the state capital, at age 27. Morales's campaign operated on a budget less than a quarter of that spent by incumbent mayor Brett Smiley.

McKee's defeat centred on criticism of his handling of repairs to Providence's Washington Bridge, a major traffic route carrying approximately 100,000 vehicles daily. The bridge was closed in December 2023 after structural problems were discovered, with officials concluding in March 2024 that rebuilding rather than repair was necessary. State officials initially estimated reopening by this year, but the completion date has since been delayed to November 2028. Foulkes, who came in second place in a five-way gubernatorial contest four years ago and is the niece of former Democratic Senator Chris Dodd, made the bridge delays central to her campaign messaging.

Morales, who describes himself as a Democratic Socialist, has endorsement from Senator Bernie Sanders and has focused his campaign on affordability issues using social media messaging. He has criticised Smiley's advisory role with Combat Antisemitism Movement, citing support for Palestinian rights. Rhode Island is a heavily Democratic state where the Democratic nominees are considered likely to win November's general election. Both Foulkes and McKee have committed to working together in the general election campaign.