Approval rating of Governor McKee at 29%, faces tough 2026 reelection according to newly released poll

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Governor Dan McKee’s reelection bid faces headwinds, with just 29% of Rhode Islanders approving of his job performance and only a narrow edge over potential Democratic primary rivals, according to a new University of Rhode Island poll.

The survey, conducted online by YouGov from Aug. 1–18, found McKee leading a four-way Democratic matchup with 18.5% support, trailed by Attorney General Peter Neronha (15%), former CVS executive Helena Foulkes (14.3%), and House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi (7.3%). But 40.6% of respondents remained undecided.

Frustration over the Washington Bridge closure weighed heavily: 77% blamed the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, 78% faulted state inspection firms, 62% held McKee responsible. The blame was also placed on past governors (64%), past RIDOT directors (73%) and the original designers westbound span (57%). A third of those polled said the Washington Bridge disaster has had a significant impact on their lives.

Health care topped residents’ policy concerns, with 62% calling it the state’s most pressing issue, up from 42% last year. Housing (51%), roads and bridges (41%), education (35%), and crime (25%) also ranked high.

Nearly all respondents (93%) said housing costs are a problem, with a quarter saying they fall behind on rent and mortgage payments. The most popular solutions to this problem are repair of existing housing units deemed affordable (90%); turning vacant or “underused buildings” into housing (87%); rent stabilization, including caps on annual increases (72%); and expanding voucher programs (64%).

There was significantly less support for legislation that would require cities and towns to allow multifamily housing on lots currently zoned for single-family units (45%), and for legislation that changes zoning to allow for building housing on smaller lots near public transit (50%).

500 residents were surveyed in this poll, however, only 88% of those surveyed described themselves as registered voters. The margin of error is ± 6.98%.

Approval rating of Governor McKee