State

Governor

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 5
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The governor is Rhode Island's chief executive: proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes laws and appoints judges and agency heads.

Candidates Compare by issue

Helena Buonanno Foulkes

Democrat

Providence

The gist

Proposes Rhode Home program for 20,000 homes, millionaire's tax-funded
Supports raising Medicaid reimbursement rates
Proposes $100 million bond for career and technical education
Pledges to lower energy costs while expanding renewable energy
Proposes RIDOT Office of Safety and Accountability after bridge failure
Supports growing Rhode Island's ocean economy to create jobs

More about Helena

View sources (4)

Proposes Rhode Home program for 20,000 homes, millionaire's tax-funded
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“My Rhode Home program will create 20,000 homes and apartments Rhode Islanders can afford, paid for with a millionaire's tax.”
Supports raising Medicaid reimbursement rates
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“We need to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates and stop leaving federal money on the table.”
Proposes $100 million bond for career and technical education
Classroom to Career: All In on Career & Technical Education (plan)
Campaign website · Helena for RI · helenafoulkes.com
“as governor, I will propose a $100 million bond to fund career and technical education facilities across Rhode Island”
Pledges to lower energy costs while expanding renewable energy
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“a governor with a good plan can lower energy costs while embracing renewable energy. That's exactly what I'll do as governor.”
Proposes RIDOT Office of Safety and Accountability after bridge failure
Helena's Plans for Rhode Island
Campaign website · Helena for RI · helenafoulkes.com
“A Plan to Create the Office of Safety and Accountability, Putting Taxpayers and Safety Ahead of Contractor Profits”
Supports growing Rhode Island's ocean economy to create jobs
Believe in Rhode Island: Creating & Growing Good-Paying Jobs (plan)
Campaign website · Helena for RI · helenafoulkes.com
“The sector of our economy that I'm most excited to continue to grow is one that no other state can replicate: the ocean economy.”

Kenneth J Block

Independent

The gist

Pledges to veto a millionaires tax
Pledges to suspend truck tolls and veto car tolls
Proposes cutting government-imposed charges on electric bills
Supports banning credit scores in setting auto insurance rates
Proposes a one-year fare-free trial on RIPTA buses
Proposes reviewing state-owned land for affordable housing
Pledges a systematic review of every state agency
Supports moving magistrate appointments away from the General Assembly

More about Kenneth

View sources (1)

Pledges to veto a millionaires tax
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“If passed by the legislature, Ken will veto a Millionaires Tax.”
Pledges to suspend truck tolls and veto car tolls
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“As your Governor, I will suspend the truck toll program because it makes no sense. … I will veto any effort made to expand the tolling program to automobiles.”
Proposes cutting government-imposed charges on electric bills
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“My administration would target a significant reduction in residential and business electric bills by eliminating unnecessary government-imposed costs”
Supports banning credit scores in setting auto insurance rates
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“Rhode Island allows auto insurers to use credit-based insurance scores when determining rates. My administration would work with the General Assembly to prohibit the practice.”
Proposes a one-year fare-free trial on RIPTA buses
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“My administration would implement a one-year fare-free trial, replacing that revenue with savings identified elsewhere in the state budget”
Proposes reviewing state-owned land for affordable housing
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“The Block administration will review state-owned land and buildings for affordable housing opportunities.”
Pledges a systematic review of every state agency
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“The Block administration will systematically review operations, systems, services, and personnel for every state agency.”
Supports moving magistrate appointments away from the General Assembly
Issues & Policies
Campaign website · Ken Block for Governor · blockforgovernor.com
“The administration will push to move magistrate appointments away from the General Assembly.”

Jasjit S Gotra

Independent

The gist

Pledges to end state taxes on Social Security
Pledges no new taxes and agency-by-agency budget accountability
Pledges to fully fund teacher and firefighter pensions
Pledges to cut permitting delays for businesses
Proposes AI tools in every classroom and workforce retraining
Proposes solar farms on closed landfills and brownfields
Proposes 10% state equity stake in new power plants

More about Jasjit

View sources (1)

Pledges to end state taxes on Social Security
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“We eliminate the Social Security tax in the first two years — so seniors keep what they earned.”
Pledges no new taxes and agency-by-agency budget accountability
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“hold every agency to a budget, and treat every dollar of spending like an investment that has to earn its return. No new taxes.”
Pledges to fully fund teacher and firefighter pensions
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“Honoring it is not optional. We fund it, protect it, and keep the word the state gave.”
Pledges to cut permitting delays for businesses
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“We cut the permitting delays, give small businesses a direct seat at the table”
Proposes AI tools in every classroom and workforce retraining
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“We invest in our people, bring AI tools into every classroom, retrain the workforce for real 2030 jobs”
Proposes solar farms on closed landfills and brownfields
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“Convert Rhode Island's closed landfills and brownfields into utility-scale solar farms.”
Proposes 10% state equity stake in new power plants
GRIT Policies
Campaign website · Jay Gotra for Governor · governorgotra.com
“Any developer building generation assets in Rhode Island negotiates a minimum 10% state equity stake.”

C D Reynolds

Independent

The gist

Proposes $1,000 monthly dividend for every Rhode Island resident
Supports a carbon and pollution fee returned as dividends
Opposes state beach, park and fishing fees

More about C

View sources (1)

Proposes $1,000 monthly dividend for every Rhode Island resident
Reynolds for Governor
Campaign website · Friends of C D Reynolds · cdreynolds.com
“This permanent, unconditional direct cash payment begins immediately, distributing $1,000 every month to Rhode Island residents with planned increases over time.”
Supports a carbon and pollution fee returned as dividends
Reynolds for Governor
Campaign website · Friends of C D Reynolds · cdreynolds.com
“A carbon and pollution fee holds big polluters accountable, funding an equal revenue dividend that fairly compensates every citizen.”
Opposes state beach, park and fishing fees
Reynolds for Governor
Campaign website · Friends of C D Reynolds · cdreynolds.com
“Why must citizens pay beach fees, state park fees, fishing fees, permit fees, usage fees, and licensing fees just to access what belongs to everyone?”

Aaron Christopher Guckian

Republican

East Greenwich

The gist

Pledges to cut unnecessary taxes and fees
Opposes a millionaire's tax and restarting truck tolls
Proposes "Rhode Island Works Smarter" government efficiency initiative
Supports faster permitting and veterans' Turnkey Housing Initiative
Supports reviewing climate mandates that raise utility costs
Supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy

More about Aaron

View sources (2)

Pledges to cut unnecessary taxes and fees
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“That means reducing unnecessary taxes and fees, lowering energy costs where possible, and making government stop treating taxpayers like a source of revenue.”
Opposes a millionaire's tax and restarting truck tolls
Beyond the Podium: Republican Guckian defends resume in run for governor
News coverage · NBC 10 WJAR · turnto10.com
“He's against a millionaire's tax and doesn't want Rhode Island's truck tolls turned back on.”
Proposes "Rhode Island Works Smarter" government efficiency initiative
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“I will focus on government accountability and efficiency through my Rhode Island Works Smarter initiative.”
Supports faster permitting and veterans' Turnkey Housing Initiative
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“streamlining permitting where appropriate, and supporting practical solutions like our Turnkey Housing Initiative for veterans”
Supports reviewing climate mandates that raise utility costs
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“I support reviewing every policy that contributes to rising utility costs, including climate-related mandates and fees”
Supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy
Governor of Rhode Island | Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Sept. 9
Candidate questionnaire · Rhode Island Current · rhodeislandcurrent.com
“Today, I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that encourages innovation, invests in next-generation technologies, and protects reliability”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 9 issues covered in this race.