Rhode Islanders take dim view of state's economy, McKee in new polls
U.S. News & World Report's 'Best States for 2025' rankings placed Rhode Island 24th overall—a 10-spot jump since Gov. Dan McKee took office in 2021. But a new poll showing 19% of respondents approved of McKee's job performance — a drop of 10 points from a year ago. (Photos by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)
Few Rhode Islanders think they are better off financially so far in 2025 compared to last year — and not many think Gov. Dan McKee is doing a good job, according to new polling from the University of New Hampshire (UNH).
The latest Ocean State poll found only 15% of 653 Rhode Island residents surveyed between May 22 and 26 believed they were doing better than in 2024. Another 40% said their finances were the same, while only 45% believed they were doing worse.
UNH's poll has a 3.8% margin of error.
The top reason for financial concern was an expectation of higher prices and inflation, which was cited by 87% of those who believe they will be worse off by 2026. Rhode Islanders polled also remained pessimistic about making future investments, with only a quarter of respondents saying now is a good time to play the stock market.
Only 19% said they felt that now is a good time to look for a new job.
UNH's economic survey comes just a day after releasing a poll showing 19% of respondents approved of McKee's job performance — a drop of 10 points from a year ago. It's an even sharper drop from a Morning Consult poll released in mid-April, which gave McKee a 43% approval rating and the fourth-highest disapproval rating among the nation's 50 governors.
About 74% of the Rhode Islanders polled by UNH said the governor should not run for reelection in 2026. That includes 60% of Democrats surveyed.
McKee made his re-election bid official in March and remains the only candidate to officially throw his hat in the ring. But a significant chunk of those polled may be interested in seeing former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes run again. She lost to McKee by 3 percentage points in a five-way Democratic gubernatorial primary in September 2022.
UNH's poll found that 32% of respondents want Foulkes to enter the 2026 race.
Foulkes' campaign manager, Jon Romano, celebrated the survey.
'What this poll reveals is what Helena is hearing in every corner of our state: Rhode Islanders know the current system has failed them, they're dissatisfied with state leadership and the direction of our state, and they're demanding the kind of meaningful change that will finally put their needs first,' Romano said in an emailed statement.
McKee campaign spokesperson Mike Trainor declined to comment on UNH's poll. But the governor has proudly proclaimed the state has improved under his tenure, citing Rhode Island's 24th overall spot in the latest U.S. News & World Report 'Best States' ranking — a 10-spot jump since the governor ascended to the job in 2021.
The ranking specifically had Rhode Island's economy climbing 12 places from 28 to 16 between 2021 and 2025. Rhode Island is currently ranked #8 in the 'Business Environment' subcategory, up one from 2024. In the past year alone, the state jumped 18 places to reach #14 in the 'Growth' subcategory.
Another 23% of those polled by UNH are open to former Republican candidate Ashley Kalus running again, while 19% are open to former Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo returning to the State House.
President Trump's job approval in Rhode Island fell slightly. The latest poll had 37% approving and 61% disapproving of his job as president with 2% unsure. That's down from 40% approving and 59% disapproving with 1% unsure a year ago.
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