Guckian and Pelino trade accusations over resumes and radio comments in first TV debate

By: Nancy Lavin

Outlets: Rhode Island Current

Published: August 12, 2026

Words: 1,236

Last Updated: 6 days, 1 hour ago

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It didn’t take long for the first face-to-face of Rhode Island’s Republican gubernatorial candidates to turn combative.

Elaine Pelino didn’t finish her first sentence of the Wednesday debate, hosted by NBC 10 and Coastal ABC, before turning to fellow GOP candidate Aaron Guckian to ask for an in-person apology. Pelino’s request was cut off by moderator Gene Valicenti, who redirected Pelino to his question about Gov. Dan McKee’s Supreme Court nominee.

But the tension lingered …

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