With three weeks until the end of the 2026 election, Democrat Helena Foulkes leads independent Ken Block by nine points, with Republican Aaron Guckian trailing, according to a WPRI-TV/Emerson College poll released Tuesday.
The poll shows Foulkes with 44% of the support, Block with 35% and Guckian with 10%. 9% of respondents were undecided.
Two lesser-known independents, Jay Gotra and Chris Reynolds, each got 1%.
When asked which way they’re leaning, Foulkes climbed to 48%, Block to 38%, and Guckian to 12%.
The findings from 800 respondents Oct. 8-11 come after a stretch in which Block and Guckian have suggested that each other get out of the race to boost the remaining candidate’s chances against Foulkes.
Block has launched new ads on television this week as he tries to close the gap with Foulkes, who continues to air her own spots.
In her second run for governor, Foulkes easily outpaced incumbent Gov. Dan McKee in the September primary. Guckian narrowly defeated fellow Republican Elaine Pelino.
The poll showed a tight lieutenant governor race between incumbent Democrat Sabina Matos (44%) and Republican challenger John Loughlin (45%), with 12% undecided.
No Rhode Island Republican has won a statewide election since Gov. Don Carcieri won re-election in 2006.
Separate interviews with the two candidates are airing this week on One on One on Ocean State Media.
The survey also asked respondents what issue they consider most important for the next governor and the General Assembly to address in 2027. Economic concerns dominated the list.
Answers were as follows:
- Taxes and state spending 20%
- Housing costs 17%
- Electric and utility bills 16%
- Jobs and the economy 14%
- Healthcare 10%
- Immigration 6%
- Roads and bridges 6%
- K-12 schools 4%
- Crime 4%
- Environment 3%
The poll has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
