5 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Researched by Ballot Explained and checked against the sources cited on this page. Last reviewed . How we research · Report a correction
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Making Rhode Island more affordable by reducing taxes and fees and lowering energy costs.
A 'Rhode Island Works Smarter' initiative to cut waste and modernize state government with frontline employees and unions.
Expanding housing by streamlining permitting, including a Turnkey Housing Initiative for veterans.
An 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy, reviewing climate mandates and fees that raise utility bills.
Cracking down on violent offenders while creating pathways to citizenship that meet employers' workforce needs.
Using his party affiliation to seek more federal support from the Trump administration; opposes reactivating truck tolls.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former special assistant to Gov. Don Carcieri; he has said the job was primarily as a driver and special assistant.
Former executive director of the Rhode Island Dental Association.
Republican candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022.
Won the Rhode Island Republican Party's endorsement in June 2026 and the 9 September primary by 259 votes over Elaine Pelino.
Reported about $7,000 cash on hand in early October 2026, far behind Foulkes and Block.
Arguments in favor
'One party rule has not served Rhode Islanders well and we need to restore balance to state government. Families are being crushed by the cost of living, taxes, fees, energy bills, and a state government that now spends more than $15 billion a year.'
— Aaron Guckian, in his statement accepting the nomination
His experience in state government and his relationships with public and private sector leaders are qualifications a first-time candidate lacks: 'You can't teach experience.'
— Aaron Guckian, in the August 2026 Republican primary debate
Arguments against
He is a 'flip-flopper' on conservative social issues including gun rights and abortion, and has exaggerated his role in the Carcieri administration.
— Elaine Pelino, his Republican primary opponent
He has no realistic path to winning and is splitting the anti-Foulkes vote; a Block campaign poll put him at 19%, and his pollster said he could be the weakest Republican nominee for governor since 1856.
— Ken Block's campaign, as reported by WPRI
What we couldn’t verify
He made disparaging remarks about Pelino's age and appearance in a July radio interview and later apologized on air; how that bears on the general election is not established.
Whether he will have money for advertising before 3 November is unclear given his reported cash on hand.
A 'Rhode Home' program to build 20,000 homes and apartments, financed by a revolving loan fund paid for with a tax on income over $1 million.
Raising Medicaid reimbursement rates to keep primary care doctors and nurses in the state, and drawing down more federal matching money.
A $100 million investment in classroom-to-career programs.
Lowering energy bills while keeping the state's climate goals: 'renewable sources of energy are cheaper than fossil fuels.'
Protecting abortion coverage, including under the Equality in Abortion Coverage Act, and pushing back on federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
A line-item veto, and replacing politically connected cabinet members with outside experts.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Senior executive at CVS, including president of CVS Pharmacy from 2014 to 2018; later chief executive of the retailer Hudson's Bay Company.
Lost the 2022 Democratic primary for governor to Dan McKee by about three points.
Defeated Gov. McKee in the 9 September 2026 Democratic primary, about 62% to 38%, after spending about $5 million.
Endorsed in the general election by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO; the Democratic Governors Association has put $500,000 into an affiliated group supporting her.
Arguments in favor
Voters want change from a state government that has mismanaged major projects like the Washington Bridge, and her business background will bring accountability: 'We're a state where you've got to know a guy... it really really doesn't work for people.'
— Helena Buonanno Foulkes, at the 30 September League of Women Voters and Women's Fund forum
After hearing from all three major candidates, the state labour federation, which stayed neutral in the primary, endorsed her: 'Rhode Island is a Labor State, and we look forward to working with Helena and her team to ensure the goals and values of organized labor are heard loud and clear.'
— Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, as reported by WPRI
Arguments against
Her tenure running CVS's retail pharmacy arm from 2014 to 2018, the period covered by federal claims that CVS filled improper opioid prescriptions, was 'bad leadership' — 'it's not about the company, it's about the company my opponent keeps.'
— Gov. Dan McKee, her Democratic primary opponent
Her campaign's account of her work against the opioid crisis relies on inflated numbers or on actions that did not directly involve her. She is not named in any of the court documents against CVS.
— Rhode Island Current investigation, as summarised in its August 2026 debate coverage
What we couldn’t verify
How her housing program would be structured in detail, and whether the General Assembly would pass the tax to fund it.
She has never held public office, so there is no voting or executive record in government to assess.
Economic growth by making Rhode Island a place businesses want to locate, including fixing underperforming schools and shaky city and town finances.
New leadership at the Department of Transportation after the Washington Bridge closure, which he calls a failure of transparency.
Cutting 'regressive' and 'unnecessary' taxes and fees, including the 4% gross receipts tax on energy bills.
Slowing the state's clean energy transition timeline to balance climate goals against short-term affordability.
Reducing the state's roughly $5 billion Medicaid spending by rooting out overpayments and improving education to reduce poverty.
A line-item veto, and weekly press conferences to pressure legislative leaders.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Founder of the Moderate Party of Rhode Island; its nominee for governor in 2010 (6.5% of the vote).
Lost the 2014 Republican primary for governor by about 3,000 votes.
His consulting firm has worked on spending and fraud analysis for companies and state governments; it was hired by the Trump campaign in 2020.
Reported about $263,000 cash on hand in early October 2026, including $190,000 in personal loans.
Arguments in favor
Partisanship does not solve problems, and a growing number of voters want leaders who are not tied to either party; as an independent he can bring transparency and efficiency to a state government whose leadership has failed.
— Ken Block, in his Rhode Island Current questionnaire
He would beat Foulkes, 44% to 39%, in a two-way race, because of strong support from independents and Republicans.
— Ken Block's campaign, citing its own commissioned poll
Arguments against
Saying he will sign whatever the General Assembly passes is not real advocacy for reproductive health: 'In this national environment, we need someone who really, really cares about reproductive health.'
— Helena Buonanno Foulkes, at the 30 September forum
He has abandoned one political affiliation after another and won only 6.5% of the vote the first time he ran for governor.
— Aaron Guckian, as reported by WPRI
What we couldn’t verify
He has declined to tell the Rhode Island Current and other outlets whom he voted for in any of the last three presidential elections.
How he would pass his agenda through a Democratic-led General Assembly beyond public pressure is not laid out.
A 'Pursuit of Happiness Dividend': $1,000 a month to Rhode Island residents, totalling $3.2 billion a year, to offset economic anxiety and AI-driven job loss.
Grid modernization, strict utility company accountability and federal clean energy grants, rather than rolling back environmental protections.
Cabinet appointments based on executive competence, integrity and stakeholder engagement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has run for U.S. Senate, Providence City Council, the 1st Congressional District and governor since 2010.
Qualified for the November ballot as an independent; placed third among independents in the Department of State's ballot lottery.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No independent reporting arguing for or against his candidacy was found, so neither argument column is filled.
How the $3.2 billion dividend would be paid for within the state budget is not explained beyond his statement that it equals 20% of the budget.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat in practice: Gov. Dan McKee lost the Democratic primary on 9 September 2026 to Helena Buonanno Foulkes, about 62% to 38%, the first time since 1994 that a sitting Rhode Island governor lost a primary. The Republican primary was much closer: Aaron Guckian beat Elaine Pelino by 259 votes. Pelino asked for a recount; the Board of Elections rejected it, re-read the machine totals with an identical result, and certified Guckian as the nominee on 15 September.
Five names are on the November ballot, per the Rhode Island Current voter guide and the Department of State's 17 July ballot lottery: Republican Aaron Guckian, Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes, and independents Ken Block, Jay Gotra and C.D. Reynolds. Guckian has faced public pressure to withdraw in favour of Block and has said he will not; in any case it is too late to remove a name from the ballot.
Ballot order: the state's July lottery placed Republican candidates before Democrats on the 3 November ballot, followed by the independents in the order drawn — Block, Gotra, Reynolds. That is the order below.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Rhode Island ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Rhode Island Department of State.