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Approval for McKee, Matos Falls in New Pell Center Poll

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, right, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during a recent news conference.
Ian Donnis/The Public's Radio
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, right, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during a recent news conference.

The findings come with less than 2 years until the next statewide primary election

With 2026 drawing closer, the approval ratings for Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos declined ina new poll by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University.

The poll shows approval falling two percentage points for each of the two state officials since an earlier Pell survey in June, with McKee showing a 34% approval rating and a 56% disapproval rating. The comparable figures for Matos are 26% and 39%.

The findings come amid ongoing frustration among motorists about traffic delays and congestion associated with the Washington Bridge, for which state leaders have yet to detail a plan for full replacement.

McKee and Matos both said they plan to see re-election in 2026.

Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes is raising money after a close loss to McKee in the 2022 Democratic primary for governor. A handful of Democrats are considered possible primary opponents for Matos in 2026, but none has confirmed a campaign.

The findings are based on responses earlier this month from 876 likely voters and have a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

This story was reported by The Public's Radio. You can read the entire story here.

Ian Donnis has reported on Rhode Island politics since 1999, when he arrived in the state two weeks before the FBI raided City Hall and Buddy Cianci’s East Side home. Subscribe to his weekly political newsletter here.
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