Same arguments, new insults: McKee and Foulkes clash in first TV debate

By: Nancy Lavin

Outlets: Rhode Island Current

Published: August 13, 2026

Words: 1,008

Last Updated: 5 days, 10 hours ago

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Familiar arguments over opioids, infrastructure and who cares more about everyday Rhode Islanders dominated the first televised Democratic gubernatorial debate of the 2026 election cycle.

Yet Gov. Dan McKee and his challenger, Helena Buonanno Foulkes, still managed to infuse their usual talking points with fresh insults during the hourlong forum, organized by NBC10 and Coastal ABC and taped at the Providence Performing Arts Center on Wednesday night

“Uninformed and unapologetic,” was how McKee painted …

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