McKee Trims Foulkes' Lead, But Bridge Baggage Keeps Him Underwater

Dan McKee is still losing the Rhode Island governor's race, just by less than he was a few months ago.

A new WPRI/Emerson College poll released Tuesday found Democratic challenger Helena Foulkes leading the incumbent governor 45% to 30%, with 25% of voters undecided. The survey of 1,000 likely voters was conducted August 21-22 by Emerson College Polling.

McKee's 30% marks a 10-point jump from a WPRI poll in May, while Foulkes climbed from 40% to 45% over the same stretch. The race has tightened in raw numbers even as the gap holds firm at 15 points, the first time this year the margin has dipped below 20 points. The picture darkens further for McKee once undecideds are pressed: when leaners are folded in, Foulkes' advantage grows to 61% to 39%.

The incumbent's troubles trace to a familiar source. Just 22% of likely Democratic primary voters approve of McKee's handling of the Washington Bridge crisis, against 63% who disapprove. Foulkes has attacked McKee over a botched bidding process that pushed the bridge's completion date to November 2028.

Money remains a factor in the closing stretch. Foulkes has countered with millions in advertising and plans to keep spending through primary day, while McKee's fundraising deficit forced him largely off television in recent weeks.

Just 22% of likely Democratic primary voters think Rhode Island is on the right track, versus 53% who say wrong track, numbers that leave McKee little room to maneuver with 15 days until Rhode Islanders cast their primary ballots.