The biggest factor in McKee’s disapproval rating was, at 35 percent, his “handling of transportation/infrastructure” — a reflection of his administration’s handling of the failure of the westbound side of the Washington Bridge. Another 12 percent who disapprove of his performance cited “poor leadership.”
“Most troubling for McKee is that only 36 percent of Democrats approve of his performance, although this is up from 27 percent in May,” the poll said. By contrast, 11 percent of Republicans and 10 percent of independents approve of his job performance.
Foulkes’ campaign spokesman Jon Romano issued a statement, saying, “It’s no surprise that when our state leaders fail to handle our biggest challenges, the most glaring example being the Washington Bridge, Rhode Islanders are frustrated and fed up. Rhode Islanders deserve competent leadership and shouldn’t settle for less. Helena will fight for every vote and restore trust in government.”
A McKee campaign spokesperson issued a statement, saying, “Rhode Islanders don’t need more political jockeying — they need results. Governor McKee is laser-focused on fighting for Rhode Island working families and standing up to extremism in Washington. That’s the kind of leadership that delivered fewer school absences, reduced overdose deaths, and strong economic growth to our state over the last four years – and that’s why Rhode Islanders can count on him to keep delivering in the years ahead.”
The poll also gauged whether voters want House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, a Warwick Democrat, to run for governor. It found that just 13 percent of likely general election voters want him to run, 39 percent don’t want him to run, and another 49 percent don’t know or have no opinion.
Among likely Democratic primary voters, 18 percent want Shekarchi to run, while 40 percent don’t want him to enter the race.
Shekarchi issued a statement, saying, “I believe the University of New Hampshire poll confirms what other polling is showing at this time: that this is a wide open race for governor with the majority of voters yet undecided. As Speaker, I’m focused on the important issues facing Rhode Islanders, such as housing, health care affordability, jobs and the economy.”
Shekarchi noted he has not decided whether to enter the race. “However, I am encouraged by the poll results considering I have not run statewide for public office,” he said. “I do believe a great many voters recognize the accomplishments I’ve made on behalf of Rhode Islanders.”
The poll found that 51 percent of voters believe US Senator Jack Reed, a Democrat, deserves to be re-elected to another six-year term in 2026, while 30 percent believe he does not deserve re-election, and 19 percent don’t have an opinion. Among Democrats, 80 percent back Reed for another term.
The poll found that few voters have an opinion about another Democratic candidate for Senate, elder care worker Connor Burbridge. Just 4 percent have a favorable opinion of Burbridge, while 45 percent have a favorable opinion of Reed.
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center conducted the poll, and 737 Rhode Islanders completed an online survey between Sept. 17 and 23. The overall margin of error was 3.6 percent, but it was 5.9 percent among likely Democratic primary voters.
Earlier this month, a University of Rhode Island poll pegged McKee’s job approval at 29 percent, down 26 percentage points from the same poll conducted last year. This year’s poll had McKee’s disapproval rating at 37 percent, and 34 percent said they weren’t sure.
The URI poll tested a hypothetical four-way Democratic primary and found McKee leading at 18.5 percent, while Attorney General Peter Neronha was second at 15 percent, Foulkes was third at 14.3 percent, and Shekarchi was fourth at 7.3 percent. Another 40.6 percent said they weren’t sure.