Governor
September 9, 2026 · Rhode Island · Statewide · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: High · 84 out of 100
Smaller districts give each vote more weight, and this district is small for its type. About 1,101,801 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(39,287,377 ÷ 1,101,801) ÷ ln(39,287,377 ÷ 582,397) = 84.86, comparing all statewide districts nationwide (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
High representation + unknown decisiveness → High vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
Governor is responsible for:
- Running the state government and its agencies
- Proposing the state budget
- Signing state bills into law, or vetoing them
- Appointing state officials and, in many states, judges
- Commanding the state National Guard during emergencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Aaron Guckian
Republican · declared
Aaron Guckian is a Republican candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2026. He is a trade association executive and former chair of the Warwick Sewer Authority, and was the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in 2022.
Dan McKee
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Dan McKee is the Democratic Governor of Rhode Island, in office since 2021 (elected in his own right in 2022), and is running for re-election in 2026. He previously served as Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island (2015-2021) and as mayor of Cumberland.
Elaine Pelino
Republican · declared
Elaine Pelino is a Republican candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2026. She is a former actress and model.
Gregory Stevens
Democratic · declared
Gregory Stevens is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2026. He is a restaurateur.
Helena Foulkes
Democratic · declared
Helena Foulkes is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2026, a rematch of the 2022 Democratic primary. She spent 25 years at CVS Health, rising to president of its retail division, and is a niece of former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd.
Robert Raimondo
Republican · declared
Robert Raimondo is a Republican candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2026. He is a businessman and a cousin of former Governor Gina Raimondo.
Wil Gregersen
Democratic · declared
Wil Gregersen is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island in 2026. He works as a librarian.
Election sources
Source: en.wikipedia.org