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.

Leaders say Rhode Island is ready to capitalize on the World Cup moment, with fan zones, transit plans and public safety measures aimed at drawing visitors and turning Providence into a regional hub for the “Summer of Soccer”
Detainees in ICE custody report being transferred without notice, complicating their immigration cases and leaving lawyers scrambling
Bryant University football’s Chris Merritt is returning to high school
Falling concrete from Route 10 connector shuts down rail traffic; officials say seven similar structures exist across Rhode Island
Tree canopy gaps mirror income divides in Newport, as conservationists race to restore native trees and lost federal funding threatens efforts to expand “tree equity” in the city’s North End
The closure of Spectrum-India after 59 years adds to the steady loss of small businesses in Providence neighborhood