Dan McKee — Democratic Candidate for Governor in Rhode Island, 2026

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Governor Dan McKee opposes Republican cuts to health and nutrition benefits, proposing to double the state grant for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and increase funding for Planned Parenthood. He criticizes Congressional Republicans for allowing Affordable Care Act tax credits to expire, increasing health insurance costs. His budget includes a $9.5 million Marketplace Affordability program to support 20,000 Rhode Islanders at risk of losing coverage, aiming to make healthcare more accessible and affordable.

““Washington Republicans are making health care more expensive and less accessible. Allowing these tax credits to expire will push many families to the breaking point,” said Governor Dan McKee. “President Trump has a responsibility to get his party to the table, prevent these massive spikes in health care costs, and end the shutdown.””

Governor Dan McKee's new budget plan reportedly includes a pullback on Rhode Island's ambitious climate change goals. McKee states that this action aims to save ratepayers money. Critics characterize this as a shortsighted decision, noting that voter concern for climate change ranks low, influencing his approach to this issue.

Research pending more substantial sources.

Research pending more substantial sources.

Governor Dan McKee supports education, highlighting historic investments in K-12 through the Learn365RI initiative, including 21 Community Learning Centers. His administration has reduced chronic absenteeism via the Attendance Matters initiative and states Rhode Island leads New England in academic recovery from the pandemic. McKee aims to create opportunities for children and has closed the achievement gap with Massachusetts in reading and math.

“That’s why, through our Learn365RI initiative, we’ve made historic investments in K-12 education both in and out of the classroom. [...] We will work on your behalf to create opportunity for our children in and out of the classroom. - Governor Daniel J. McKee, 2026 State of State Address”

Governor Dan McKee supports an assault weapons ban, which he included in his 2026 budget proposal. He advocated for the ban in his State of the State address and subsequently signed the legislation into law on June 26, 2025. This law, effective July 1, 2026, prohibits the sale, purchase, and manufacture of certain military-style semi-automatic firearms in Rhode Island. McKee stated that this action would "make Rhode Island safer for our families and for our neighbors" and represents "an important step forward in protecting our communities from gun violence."

“Year after year, I've stood here and asked the General Assembly to send an assault weapons ban to my desk," McKee said. "This year, I'm sending a budget to the General Assembly that -- for the first time -- will include a ban on assault weapons. Let's finally get this done." - Gov. Dan McKee, State of the State Address, January 14, 2025.”