Four Weeks Out, It’s “A Winning Week for Governor McKee”

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — With just four weeks left until the Democratic Gubernatorial primary, analysts continue to agree: Governor McKee’s winning performance in the first debate of the cycle comes alongside real momentum.

On Ocean State Media’s A Lively Experiment, Boston Globe Columnist Dan McGowan and National Committeewoman for the Rhode Island Republican Party Sue Cienki agreed that the Governor commanded the debate – and that Helena Foulkes has still not answered for her destructive corporate record.

“Governor McKee exceeded expectations in that debate…” McGowan said. “I think this was a winning week for Governor McKee.”

Rhode Islanders see a Governor who is one of them, the panelists agreed, and a challenger who isn’t. “She didn’t come across as authentic to me,” Cienki said. “Whereas McKee came across as he’s one of us… So I think he did himself a lot of favors in this debate, and she did not.”

Cienki, a Republican, underscored that Foulkes’ multimillion-dollar ad campaign couldn’t change the truth: “She comes across as an elitist. And is that what the people in Rhode Island want?”

And after nearly six years of campaigning, Foulkes has been unable to run away from her record of poor leadership and putting profits over people as a corporate executive: “That is definitely going to be the Helena Foulkes challenge – is can she get over the finish line as what she is?” McGowan said. “She is the corporate candidate in this race. She is kind of the favorite of the elites.”

In sharp contrast, working Rhode Islanders are lining up behind Governor McKee. In just the last two weeks, he has been endorsed by the Rhode Island Building & Construction Trades Council, the Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters, IUEC Local 39, OPCMIA Local 40, NEA Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Constables – adding to a coalition that already includes RI Council 94 AFSCME, Teamsters Local 251, UFCW Local 328, UNAP, the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, Planned Parenthood Votes! Rhode Island, Secretary of State Gregg Amore, General Treasurer James A. Diossa, and municipal leaders from across the state.

Key Point from Boston Globe Columnist Dan McGowan: “I think this was a winning week for Governor McKee.”