Helena Buonanno Foulkes announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for governor Monday, setting up a potential rematch with Gov. Dan McKee in the 2026 Democratic primary.
The announcement came hours after McKee’s campaign launched a digital advertisement attacking Foulkes’ role during the opioid crisis as president of CVS Pharmacy from 2014 to 2018.
Foulkes, who lost to McKee by about 3,300 votes in the 2022 Democratic primary, launched her campaign at the Casino at Roger Williams Park before a packed room of supporters.
“Rhode Islanders are getting priced out and squeezed to the limit,” Foulkes said in her announcement speech. “In my conversations with Rhode Islanders, they frequently say something along the lines of, ‘I don’t know if it’s incompetence or corruption, but the state just does not seem to be working for me.'”
The former CVS executive began her day with breakfast in Central Falls alongside Mayor Maria Rivera and Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, followed by a radio interview with Poder. She planned to meet with East Providence business owners affected by the Washington Bridge closure and hold a community gathering.
Foulkes criticized the McKee administration’s handling of the Washington Bridge, calling it “an in-your-face example of what happens when government just doesn’t work for people.”
“If we can’t even fix a critical bridge in the middle of our biggest city, what else do you think our government is failing to do?” she said.
The candidate also addressed Hasbro’s announced move to Massachusetts, telling affected workers she would “fight day after day to protect workers’ jobs.”
Foulkes touted her experience at CVS, where she said her management philosophy focused on listening and putting customers first. She cited the company’s decision to remove tobacco products from stores despite $2 billion in annual revenue loss.
“What you’ll get from me is a governor who cares that the status quo isn’t working for Rhode Islanders,” Foulkes said.
McKee’s campaign created a website, SheKnew.com, alleging Foulkes “fueled the opioid crisis” and accepted $173 million from opioid manufacturers while serving as CVS president. The campaign cited 1,190 overdose deaths in Rhode Island during her tenure.
In the 2022 Democratic primary, Foulkes finished second with 29.87% of the vote, trailing McKee’s 32.82%. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea placed third with 26.24%.
The lifelong Rhode Island resident is a mother of four and cancer survivor who spent 25 years at CVS, rising to president of its retail division. She is the granddaughter of former U.S. Sen. Thomas Dodd and niece of former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd.
Foulkes plans to hold community gatherings in all 39 cities and towns in the coming months, continuing conversations she has been having “in living rooms and coffee shops across the state.”
McKee became governor in March 2021 when Gina Raimondo resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Commerce and won a full term in 2022 by defeating Republican Ashley Kalus 57.92% to 38.86%.
