Shekarchi Will Not Run for Governor
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Shekarchi Will Not Run for Governor
Shekarchi, a State Representative for District 23 in Warwick, has served in the House since 2013 and has served as Speaker since 2020.
He was considered a major contender in the race due to his strong political base as the de facto titular head of the Democratic Party in Rhode Island, and he is sitting on a campaign account of more than $4.3 million.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAlso, Shekarchi controls the Rhode Island Good Government PAC that has a balance of $444,000.
Fight to Control the Cost of Housing
In the past few years, Shekarchi has carved out a reputation as a leader in efforts to control housing costs in Rhode Island. He has passed approximately two dozen reform bills to try to ease housing costs and make it easier to build new buildings.
No Shekarchi Primary
Without Shekarchi in the race, the two announced Democrats are incumbent Dan McKee and for CVS president Helena Foulkes.
Both candidates show strong negatives in recent polling.
A poll released by the University of New Hampshire in November of 2025 found that in the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Rhode Island, 29% of likely Democratic primary voters (N=359) say they would currently vote for former CVS executive Helena Foulkes, 13% would vote for Speaker of the RI House of Representatives Joe Shekarchi, 11% would vote for incumbent Governor Dan McKee, 6% would write in someone else, and 42% are undecided.
This story is developing...