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.

Summer reading, zine-making, a speculative horror book club and a chance to meet the Providence mayoral candidates – here’s what’s going on in July throughout the nine Community Libraries of Providence
After a powerful heatwave swept across the northeast last week, Possibly turned to its archive, looking for lessons about how to better prepare for extreme heat. We travel to Ahmedabad, India to learn more
Ocean State Media is partnering with 11 Rhode Island libraries on The Books That Grew Us, a new program that helps readers explore how books, media and storytelling shape their lives
At Ashawaug Farm in Hopkinton, Narragansett growers are preserving heritage crops while navigating cuts to federal programs that helped small and tribal producers
A fiscal watchdog group recommends tightening oversight of education spending as the state continues to struggle with improving educational outcomes
A new nonprofit owner has raised nearly half of its initial renovation budget and says more than 100 prospective tenants have expressed interest