Campaign Phone
4014864152
Campaign YouTube
We must break the cycle of poverty, and we can do so only by improving educational outcomes.
A third of our state is on Medicaid, and a third of our state budget goes to Medicaid. Improved educational outcomes benefit students, our workforce, and our budget!
There is no magic bullet here. My administration will facilitate 36 different conversations - one for each public school district - bringing together students, parents, teachers, administrators, RIDE, and the governor's office to identify and propose solutions to the problems that impact outcomes.
As governor, I will follow every law on the books - both state and federal.
Anyone who infringes on another's constitutional rights as the law and law enforcement guidelines allow.
Our federal Constitution is crystal clear: the states conduct our elections unless Congress passes a law.
That is (or was) the totality of the definition of responsibilities. There is (or was) no power for the Executive Branch in the oversight of elections.
This area of ongoing contention is wholly legal in nature and should be handled by Attorneys General and the federal court system.
A governor's role in this is extremely limited.
Personally, I find Presidential interference in the conduct of our elections reprehensible.
My first obligation as governor will be to uphold the Constitution and the law. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and a RI governor cannot lawfully prevent federal officers from carrying out lawful federal actions.
But I will insist that every RI agency under my authority protect the constitutional rights of everyone in our state. State Police and state agencies will protect lawful speech, peaceful assembly and civic participation, and state resources will not be used in ways that violate anyone's constitutional rights.
When federal authorities operate in RI, they too must obey the Constitution.
The rule should be simple: enforce the law, respect constitutional rights, and treat every person with dignity.
Rhode Island cannot control national inflation, but a governor can attack the costs state government makes worse.
My affordability agenda starts with lowering electricity costs and ending hidden and regressive taxes and fees that drive up household bills.
I will expand our housing supply, including housing that helps older Rhode Islanders downsize and frees up family homes; make childcare more affordable; and reduce unnecessary regulations and costs that ultimately show up in grocery and other prices.
My rule will be simple: make government costs visible, make government justify them, make them fair, and get them down.
Campaign YouTube
Campaign Endorsements
helenafoulkes.com/endorsements/
The number one issue I hear about is housing. There isn’t a single city or town in our state where someone making less than $100,000 per year can afford the median home. My housing plan uses the millionaire's tax to create 20,000 new homes and apartments that Rhode Islanders can actually afford. As governor, I’ll fight to make sure everyone can afford to live and raise their family here.
Strong Democratic governors are the last line of defense against the chaos and cruelty coming out of the Trump administration. As governor, I’ll protect Rhode Islanders’ right to assemble and peacefully protest safely across our state and ensure every Rhode Islander can exercise their constitutional rights freely.
There’s no question that our elections are under attack under the Trump administration. As governor, I will work closely with the Rhode Island Secretary of State and Attorney General to ensure that Rhode Island’s elections remain free and fair and without interference.
I also support Secretary Amore’s efforts to move Rhode Island’s primary earlier in the year— we should be doing everything we can to make sure people have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
What Trump is doing with his ICE agents across the country is horrific and outrageous. They are terrorizing communities and people are rightfully afraid – kids are staying home from school, people are missing work, and our small businesses are hurting because of the fear people are living in.
It’s the job of the governor to protect people and that’s exactly what I’ll do as your next governor. That means ensuring all residents are treated with dignity and that their constitutional rights to free speech, assembly and civic participation are protected.
I’d also partner with organizations like Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island to ensure every Rhode Islander's basic rights are protected during immigration enforcement actions.
Rhode Islanders are getting squeezed by rising costs. My housing plan will create 20,000 new homes and apartments, paid for with a millionaire’s tax. I’m a mom of four and a new grandmother. I meet parents all across the state who are struggling with the cost of childcare. That’s why I’m proposing a Rhode Island employer-matched childcare fund, starting with a $20 million pilot, designed to reduce the cost of care for working parents. Rhode Islanders are feeling the pressure of their utility bills like never before. I will work to lower your electricity bills and meet our climate commitments—and that starts by holding our out-of-state utility company accountable.
Campaign Phone
5089898450
Campaign YouTube
Rhode Island needs a lower cost of living, better opportunities for our children, and government that earns public trust. My GRIT platform—Grow Rhode Island Together—focuses on expanding local energy supply, reducing barriers to housing and business growth, strengthening education and workforce skills, and protecting seniors. I want to eliminate the state tax on Social Security income within my first two years. I would publish clear financial reports, hold agencies accountable for results, and direct resources toward services that improve daily life. Leadership means taking responsibility and measuring what works.
Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, whether or not I agree with the message. I would direct state agencies to protect lawful assembly, use clear and consistent public-safety rules, and train personnel in de-escalation. Restrictions should be lawful, narrowly applied, and neutral toward different viewpoints. Allegations of misconduct should receive fair, independent review. Protecting people from violence and protecting their freedom to speak must go together.
I would uphold the Constitution and applicable election laws, respect the responsibilities of Rhode Island election officials, and work with legal counsel to challenge unlawful interference through the courts. My priorities would be eligible voters’ access, secure election systems, accurate counting, and transparent procedures. State and federal cooperation should remain within lawful authority, with decisions guided by evidence rather than partisan pressure. Public trust requires both reliable safeguards and clear explanations of how elections are administered.
Every person deserves dignity and the protections the Constitution affords them. I would work with the attorney general, law enforcement, and community leaders to establish clear guidance for state agencies during immigration enforcement. That guidance should protect due process, lawful speech, peaceful assembly, and access to complaint procedures while respecting applicable law. Credible allegations of rights violations should be investigated. Public safety should be strengthened through lawful conduct, accountability, and trust—not through treating peaceful civic participation as a threat.
A governor cannot control national inflation, but can address state policies that make essentials more expensive. I would reduce unnecessary housing and permitting barriers, expand local energy supply, and help businesses grow without avoidable administrative costs. I would review obstacles to expanding safe, affordable childcare and support effective efforts to reduce food insecurity. My platform also calls for ending Rhode Island’s tax on Social Security income. Proposals should be judged by actual household savings, service quality, and their full cost to taxpayers.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
