Rhode Island's Democratic gubernatorial primary, scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026, will feature incumbent Daniel McKee and Helena Foulkes in a rematch after the state party did not endorse either candidate. The filing deadline for the primary has passed, and Gregory Stevens is also running in the Democratic primary.

The Rhode Island Democratic Party held its endorsement convention on June 20, 2026, where neither McKee nor Foulkes received a majority of votes. The party subsequently voted not to endorse either candidate. Local historian Steven Frias stated that McKee is the first governor not to be endorsed by his own party since Rhode Island adopted its modern primary system in 1948. In May 2026, a 12 News/Emerson College survey indicated that Foulkes led McKee by 20 points.

As of March 2026, Foulkes' campaign account contained over $2 million more than McKee's. McKee became governor on March 2, 2021, following Gina Raimondo's confirmation as U.S. secretary of commerce. He previously served as lieutenant governor of Rhode Island, a position he was elected to in 2014 and held until 2021. McKee served on the Cumberland Town Council from 1992 to 2001 and as mayor of Cumberland from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2007 to 2015. Before entering politics, he worked for McKee Brothers Oil Corp. and owned a health and fitness business.

The current race marks a rematch between McKee and Foulkes, who challenged him in the 2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary. In that primary, McKee received 32.8% of the vote, while Foulkes received 29.9%. Bruce Sundlun was the last incumbent Democratic governor in Rhode Island to lose a primary, which occurred in 1994.

Thirteen local Democratic Party committees in Rhode Island endorsed Foulkes as of June 25, 2026, while two local Democratic Party committees endorsed McKee. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha endorsed Foulkes, and Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos endorsed McKee.

The candidates have criticized each other during the campaign. McKee's campaign criticized Foulkes for her past role at CVS Pharmacy. A campaign ad stated, "On Helena Foulkes' watch as president of CVS, the company fueled the opioid crisis, prioritizing their own profits." Foulkes served as president of CVS Pharmacy from 2014 to 2018, having worked for the company for 25 years. After leaving CVS, Foulkes served as CEO of Hudson's Bay Company from 2018 to 2020 and has been executive chair of Follett Higher Education since 2023.

Foulkes criticized McKee for his handling of the Washington Bridge closure and rebuild. Her campaign website states, "We have a state government that is not fixing our biggest challenges, like affordable housing and the Washington Bridge." The website also states, "Neighboring states are eyeing our companies and our talent and we are failing to position Rhode Island for future success." It adds, "As governor, Helena will fight back against Donald Trump's attacks on our state, create more good-paying jobs and make living in Rhode Island more affordable for every single Rhode Islander." McKee's campaign website highlights his leadership, stating, "Under his leadership, Rhode Island saw fewer school absences, reduced overdose deaths, and strong economic growth." The website further states he is "fighting to protect Rhode Island from Washington's radical agenda, while securing critical resources to improve our state's infrastructure, and his RI2030 Plan shows Rhode Island's best chapter is yet to come." Rhode Island has maintained a Democratic trifecta since 2013, meaning one party controls the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.