Approval for McKee, Matos Falls in New
Pell Center Poll

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

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, right, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during a recent news conference.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, right, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during a recent news conference.
Ian Donnis/The Public’s Radio
Share
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, right, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during a recent news conference.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, right, Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos during a recent news conference.
Ian Donnis/The Public’s Radio
Approval for McKee, Matos Falls in New
Pell Center Poll
Copy

With 2026 drawing closer, the approval ratings for Gov. Dan McKee and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos declined in a 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.

Lawsuit over residency rules halts new retail permits and leaves applicants in limbo
After requesting more time, Mayor Ken Hopkins is expected to propose significant cuts and potential layoffs
With assisted migration, humans help move plant species into areas more suitable for their growth. But are there potential downsides to this human-led movement?
A $300 million payment dispute and a 2024 blade failure fuel a high-stakes legal fight over the future of the project
Getting up the East Side once meant horses, cable cars and ingenuity. Now, it usually means walking
The power politics of a vacancy on Rhode Island’s highest court