Former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong Announces Run for Democratic Nomination for Lt. Governor

Former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong Announces Run for Democratic Nomination for Lt. Governor

The Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island is shaping up to be a high-profile political battle in 2026.

Former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong is taking on incumbent Lt. Governor Sabina Matos.  He presently is a member of the Newport City Council.

Professionally, he has served as a director for the financial advisory firm PFM. He attended Brown for both a Bachelor's and Master's degrees and earned a law degree from Roger Williams University.

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He is the son of a refugee and a pediatrician. He was born, raised, educated, and married in Rhode Island and claims “he has a twenty-year track record in government and business as a leader who addresses hard challenges head-on.

“I’m running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe in the promise of Rhode Island – because I’ve lived it. Today that promise is slipping away,” he said in his announcement.

 

"Government has failed to adapt to change, and now people like Donald Trump are pitting us against one another. It’s time for a new generation of leadership with bold ideas - like the investments we made when I was Mayor, in housing, infrastructure, and education – without raising taxes on working families,” he said.

On Monday morning, he’ll be hosting a “Pancakes and Primary Care” roundtable with primary care professionals at the IHOP in East Providence, discussing challenges facing the healthcare system. Later this evening, Xay will hold a kickoff event with supporters in Newport.

Matos announced she is seeking a second term. She ran for Congress in 2024 and performed poorly - finishing fourth with just 8% of the vote.

Xay Khamsyvoravong is pronounced “Sigh” “Com-see-vohr-A-vong”

Also announced as a Democrat is Providence City Councilor Sue Anderbois.

John Loughlin has announced he is running as a Republican.