Helena Foulkes Returns: Lessons from 2022 and a New Pitch for Rhode Island

Helena Buonanno Foulkes, Democratic candidate for governor of Rhode Island, joins the podcast for an in-person conversation about her renewed run for the state’s top job. Foulkes previously mounted a competitive primary challenge against Governor Dan McKee in 2022, reshaping the Democratic field and signaling voter appetite for change.

In this interview, Foulkes reflects on the lessons of her first campaign, how her approach has evolved, and what she believes Rhode Island residents are demanding from their next governor. We discuss housing affordability, economic competitiveness, trust in government, and whether executive leadership from outside traditional politics can translate into effective governance at the State House.