Healthcare
Supports community screening for chronic disease, more primary-care investment and expanded school-based mental-health services.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.← Back to Rhode Island · GovernorSourced issue position Sourced issue position Sourced issue position Sourced issue position Sourced issue position Sourced issue position Sourced issue position Sourced issue position
THE 2026 CANDIDATE FILE
Helena Buonanno Foulkes
Candidate for Governor · Rhode Island
THE PERSON
Background
Helena Buonanno Foulkes is a former retail executive and longtime Rhode Island resident. Her campaign biography describes leading CVS Pharmacy’s retail business and serving community and nonprofit organizations.
Roots
- Career: Former CVS retail-division president; business and nonprofit leadership
Background sources checked October 30, 2026.
THE POLICIES
Where they stand
Campaign promises are labeled separately from past actions. These are sourced positions, not endorsements or predictions. No stance is assigned from party affiliation.
Jobs & business
Proposes a single-portal business navigator and enforceable clawbacks when economic-development recipients break commitments.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Childcare & transport
Proposes a $20 million employer-matched childcare pilot, broader pre-K access and $15 million initially for job-access transit routes.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Education
Proposes a $100 million bond for career and technical education facilities and stronger connections between schools and employers.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Housing
Proposes financing over 20,000 homes, faster permitting, temporary rent relief and stronger tenant protections.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Energy
Supports offshore wind, public-building solar and storage and help for households and small businesses installing solar and batteries.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Government & ethics
Proposes in-session restrictions on lobbyist gifts and donations, weekly lobbying disclosures and a $1 reporting threshold.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Infrastructure
Proposes auditing major transport contracts, in-house engineering expertise and an Office of Safety and Accountability at RIDOT.
Source checked October 30, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.THE ELECTION
Ballot & sources
Governor · November 3, 2026
Candidate listing checked October 29, 2026.
Rhode Island Department of State · 2026 general-election governor candidates ↗The candidate’s name and party follow the official ballot source. Backgrounds and issue positions are checked separately. A candidate is not an officeholder-elect unless a verified result establishes that status.