The Newport Democratic City Committee has endorsed Helena Buonanno Foulkes in the race for Rhode Island governor, the latest show of support for the former CVS executive making her second bid for the state’s top office.
“I’m grateful to have the support of the Newport Democratic City Committee,” Foulkes said. “From the cost of housing to the skyrocketing cost of utilities, Rhode Islanders are getting priced out of the state they love. I’m going to be a governor who fights to ensure every family can afford to live and raise their family here.”
Foulkes, 61, narrowly lost the Democratic primary to incumbent Gov. Dan McKee four years ago and is squaring off against him again this cycle. She has significantly outraised McKee, reporting $3.65 million in her campaign account as of April 30 compared to McKee’s $1.36 million. Foulkes comes from a prominent political family — her grandfather, Thomas J. Dodd, prosecuted war criminals at the Nuremberg Trials and later served as a U.S. senator from Connecticut, as did her uncle, Chris Dodd.
The committee’s co-chairs, Elise McCaffrey and Kendra Muenter, confirmed the endorsement but had no additional statement.
The Democratic primary is expected to feature McKee and Foulkes, with independents Ken Block and Jasjit Gotra also having qualified for the general election ballot.
