3 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
3 candidates · ballot order · Jack Reed currently holds this seat
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.
A campaign theme of 'Right Direction Right Now,' which he describes as restoring 'the promise of the Constitution.'
Economic growth, support for small businesses and help for working families facing high living costs.
Replacing a long-serving incumbent: 'It is time to retire the 30-year Washington politician who no longer represents the voters, just his party.'
More 'checks and balances' in a state whose congressional delegation is entirely Democratic.
Supporting President Trump's Iran policy against Reed's criticism of it.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Served 11 years in the U.S. Army, including maintenance on the Pershing missile system in West Germany.
Former president of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly and member of the state Republican central committee.
Lost the 2024 Republican primary for U.S. Senate to Patricia Morgan.
Unopposed in the 9 September 2026 Republican primary.
Had raised about $180,000 by mid-August 2026, against Reed's $4.5 million.
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
He had not answered the Rhode Island Current's general election questionnaire when it was published, so his positions on shutdowns, the filibuster, foreign policy and the cost of living are not on record there.
No published argument for or against his candidacy by anyone other than himself was found, so neither argument column is filled; his own case is under 'stands for.'
Ending what he calls Trump's 'reckless and unauthorized war against Iran' and the unauthorized use of force in the Caribbean, and relying on diplomacy with allies.
Stopping 'reckless tariff taxes' that he says hurt businesses and consumers.
Reinstating enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits and reversing the Medicaid and SNAP cuts in the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Building affordable housing through the Housing Trust Fund, HOME and the Capital Magnet Fund.
Reining in what he calls corruption by Trump and his appointees, such as accepting a luxury jet from Qatar.
Supporting the new federal limits on intoxicating hemp-derived THC products, with revisions possible in the next Farm Bill.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator since January 1997; U.S. Representative 1991–1997; Rhode Island state senator before that.
Ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; member of the Appropriations, Banking, and Intelligence committees.
Won re-election with 78.4% (2002), 73.4% (2008), 70.6% (2014) and 66.5% (2020).
Won the 9 September 2026 Democratic primary with 76.8% of the vote.
In June 2026 told Fox News Sunday the U.S. was 'in a much worse position than we were under the JCPOA'; President Trump responded by calling for his impeachment, which the Constitution does not allow for senators.
Arguments in favor
He has delivered for Rhode Island — over $300 million in housing funding under ARPA and the CARES Act, transportation and transit money through his Appropriations seat, university research funding, a new NOAA presence in Newport and new Coast Guard assets.
— Jack Reed, in his Rhode Island Current questionnaire
As the senior Democrat on Armed Services he has been willing to question the president on the Iran war on national television: 'The truth hurts sometimes.' Trump's response was 'an incoherent tirade by someone who realizes his decision to start a war made us weaker and raised prices for all Americans.'
— Jack Reed, to the Boston Globe
Arguments against
'It is time to retire the 30-year Washington politician who no longer represents the voters, just his party.' On Iran, Reed was 'not knowing all the facts, or incompetently spouting the Democrat Party narrative.'
— Ray McKay, his Republican opponent, on X
He wrote 'blank checks' funding the Trump administration's Justice Department and FBI, which have been used against the president's opponents, and has 'taken millions from the war industry, AIPAC, and AIPAC-aligned groups.'
— Connor Burbridge, his Democratic primary opponent, in the Rhode Island Current primary questionnaire
What we couldn’t verify
He would be 83 at the end of a sixth term; his plans for serving a full term have not been addressed in the sources read.
He did not say whether he supports changing the filibuster, answering only that he is 'focused on achieving positive outcomes' whatever the rules.
Ending 'endless foreign wars'; he opposes the U.S. military actions in Iran and Venezuela on just-war grounds and would redirect military spending to infrastructure and housing at home.
Term limits by constitutional amendment, an automatic continuing resolution to prevent shutdowns, and withholding congressional pay during them.
Bipartisan coalitions to make homeownership affordable for first-time, middle- and low-income buyers.
Investing in clean, renewable energy to lower electricity and heating costs.
Keeping the Senate filibuster, which he says protects small states and encourages compromise.
Religious liberty and 'a government that serves the least among us.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former laborer and carpenter who went on to lead construction projects worth more than $1 billion, per his campaign.
Taught theology at Salve Regina University; graduate of Providence College with graduate degrees in theological and biblical studies.
Founded the Providence nonprofit Fifty-Three: Five in 2014.
First-time candidate; qualified for the ballot as an independent by petition.
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.
His fundraising has not been reported in the sources read. On federal hemp and THC rules he told the Rhode Island Current he did not yet know enough to give an answer.
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.
Rhode Island held its primary on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. Sen. Jack Reed, in office since 1997, won the Democratic nomination with 76.8% of the vote over Connor Burbridge (13.4%) and Luis Daniel Muñoz (9.8%). Ray McKay was unopposed for the Republican nomination. The Board of Elections certified the primary results on 15 September.
Three names are on the November ballot, per the Rhode Island Current voter guide: Republican Ray McKay, Democrat Jack Reed, and independent Michael Bahry, who qualified by petition.
Ballot order: the Department of State's 17 July lottery placed Republican candidates before Democrats on the 3 November ballot, with independents after the party candidates. 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.