We Asked Lt. Gov. Matos If She Supported Gov. McKee’s Reelection, She Said “No Comment Right Now”

We Asked Lt. Gov. Matos If She Supported Gov. McKee’s Reelection, She Said “No Comment Right Now”

The relationship between Governor Dan McKee and Lt. Governor Sabina Matos appears to be murky at best.

Earlier on Saturday, GoLocal published a story about Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Terry Gray — an appointee of McKee — who announced on social media that he was hosting a political event for one of Matos’ primary challengers.

When asked about Gray’s actions and if she still supported McKee’s reelection, Matos told GoLocal, "No comment right now. I will let you know when I’m ready.”

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History Together

In 2021, after McKee assumed the governorship when Gina Raimondo was appointed as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce by President Joe Biden. Then, McKee appointed Matos as Lieutenant Governor.

McKee and Matos ran as a close team for their respective offices in 2022, and the campaigns were closely aligned.

But trouble began to emerge publicly when Matos ran for Congress in the 2023 race for the open congressional seat in the first district. During Matos’ very unsuccessful effort, she was asked to grade McKee as governor and gave him an incomplete.

In the congressional race, Matos made several blunders and went from frontrunner to fourth place, with just 8% of the Democratic primary vote. Gabe Amo won the primary and has been serving in Congress since.

 

Difficult Race in 2026

Now, Matos faces three announced opponents in the Democratic primary for reelection as Lt. Governor — Former Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong, Providence City Councilor Sue AnderBois, and Cindy Coyne.

McKee campaign spokeswoman Sophie Mestas said in response to a question from GoLocal about Matos’ comment of ‘no comment right now':

"Governor McKee is supporting all incumbent General Officers running for re-election, including Lieutenant Governor Matos, General Treasurer Diossa, and Secretary of State Amore."

McKee faces Helena Foulkes in the Democratic primary in September.