Foulkes defeats Block and Guckian to win governor’s race

Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes triumphed over her general election opponents Tuesday night to become Rhode Island’s next governor.

Foulkes drew more than 57% of the vote, defeating independent Ken Block by 30 points, according to preliminary unofficial results as of 10:30 p.m. GOP nominee Aaron Guckian came in third with 13%, with 94% of ballots counted.

The Associated Press called the race for Foulkes at 8:30 p.m., 30 minutes after polls closed at 8 p.m.

Cheers erupted from the crowd of supporters and party officials that packed the top floor of The Graduate Providence as results came in, with an even louder reaction when Foulkes entered the room shortly after 9 p.m.

“What a night for our country, and our state,” Foulkes declared. “An amazing turnout and a clear, clear message that change is coming.”

After handily defeating Gov. Dan McKee in the Sept. 9 primary, Foulkes remained the front-runner throughout the leadup to the general election. Foulkes, 62, of Providence  leaned on a massive fundraising haul, amplified by state party support, to blanket airwaves, social media and mailboxes with her campaign message around effective government and affordability solutions. 

“It has been hard, and it has been fun,” Foulkes said, reflecting on the yearslong campaign, including a bruising primary against McKee. “Tonight Rhode Island didn’t just pick a governor, you made a choice about what kind of state you want to be.”

A former CVS executive whose role as head of the retail pharmacy during the height of the opioid crisis drew sharp criticism from McKee during the 2026 primary battle, Foulkes’ professional record remained relatively unscathed during the general election. 

Block, 61, of Barrington instead criticized Foulkes for her ties to the state party and powerful labor unions, alleging that even as a new face in the State House, she represented “more of the same” in problematic government leadership. Foulkes in turn reminds voters repeatedly Block’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign, in which he ran as a Republican.

Block called Foulkes to congratulate her on her victory before giving a concession speech at 8:42 p.m. to supporters at his campaign’s watch party at Moonshine Alley in downtown Providence. 

“Rhode Island needs her to succeed because the challenges facing our state are real, and people are counting on their next governor to meet them,” Block told supporters gathered at his campaign’s watch party at Moonshine Alley in downtown Providence. 

“This isn’t how I envisioned this race ending, and I know it isn’t how any of you envisioned it ending either. But I ran the race that I wanted to run, a race based on ideas and solutions without a party price tag. A race I was proud to run.”

The founder and first statewide candidate for the Moderate Party in 2010, Block’s third gubernatorial run proved his most successful. 

Block also gained significant name recognition and support in the eight weeks leading up to Election Day, though his self-funded campaign never surpassed Foulkes in public polling.

Guckian, meanwhile, faced public pressure to drop out, especially after his GOP primary rival Elaine Pelino endorsed Block. But Guckian, 50, of East Greenwich, disregarded public opinions, even as his poll ratings and campaign funds dwindled.

“It has been the honor of my life to campaign for the state I love,” Guckian said in a statement Tuesday night.

Foulkes acknowledged that not everyone voted for her, but pledged to represent them nonetheless.

“I feel a deep responsibility and I am going to work every single day on your behalf,” she said. “I will be a governor for everyone and I want every one of you to hold me to it.”

She reiterated her campaign promises to build 20,000 new homes and create a tenant’s bill of rights, alongside healthcare and education reforms, economic growth, and infrastructure maintenance.

“Su fuerza es mi fuerza,” Foulkes said in Spanish. “Your strength, is my strength.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, chair of the Democratic Governors Association, congratulated Foulkes in a statement Tuesday.

“A lifelong Rhode Islander and seasoned leader, Helena will be a governor with the focus, experience, and vision to build a stronger, more affordable future for the state,” Beshear said. “Helena won this race because Rhode Islanders know she’s not beholden to special interests and can fix the problems they’re facing – from housing to health care. The DGA is proud to have supported Governor-elect Foulkes’ campaign and looks forward to continuing to work with her as she moves Rhode Island forward.”

Foulkes also ran for governor in 2022, losing to McKee in the Democratic primary by 3 percentage points. 

She will be sworn in in early January, starting a four-year term with a $163,295 annual salary.

Two other independent candidates also ran for governor. Jasjit “Jay” Gotra” and C.D. Reynolds each received less than 1%.

More than 355,000 voters had cast ballots through 7:45 p.m. on Election Day, representing 44.6% of registered voters. Results are preliminary, and unofficial, with mail ballots left in dropboxes on Election Day and those cast by military and overseas voters expected to be tallied and available by Nov. 10.

The Rhode Island Board of Elections will certify election results before Thanksgiving, following consideration of recount requests and an audit of ballot tabulating machines.

Christopher Shea contributed to this report.