Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is facing a significant challenge from Helena Foulkes in the Democratic primary, with both candidates vying for the party nomination. McKee, who previously won his first full term in 2022, is now under scrutiny over the delayed replacement of the Washington Bridge, which was closed in 2023 due to safety concerns. Foulkes has criticized his administration for inefficiency, pointing to the bridge project's cost and timeline as evidence of mismanagement. In response, McKee has accused Foulkes of being out of touch, highlighting her past inaction on the opioid crisis during her tenure at CVS. The primary election, scheduled for Wednesday, marks a rare occurrence as incumbent governors rarely lose party primaries. The last instance in Rhode Island was in 1994, when Bruce Sundlun lost to Myrth York. Meanwhile, the Republican primary features Aaron Guckian and Elaine Pelino, with Guckian receiving the party endorsement. The election date was moved to Wednesday to avoid conflict with Labor Day, making Rhode Island one of only four states holding primaries in September. The outcome of the primary will determine the next governor of Rhode Island and could have broader implications for the Democratic Party's strategy in upcoming elections.

Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei narrowly won Oklahoma’s GOP gubernatorial primary, securing a victory for President Donald Trump after a string of recent losses for his preferred candidates. The race, which saw Mazzei defeat Attorney General Gentner Drummond by 0.3 percentage points in a runoff, was marked by significant self-funding and outside money. Mazzei loaned his campaign $11.6 million, while Drummond contributed $3 million, according to campaign finance records. Conservative group Club For Growth spent $8 million on TV ads supporting Mazzei, per AdImpact. The win is a relief for Trump, who faced setbacks in other states, including losses in gubernatorial primaries in Wyoming, Iowa, Georgia, Minnesota, and South Carolina. Mazzei, who previously served in the state senate and joined Stitt’s administration as budget secretary, is now the favorite to win the general election against Democratic state Rep. Cyndi Munson. The result underscores the influence of Trump’s endorsements in shaping state-level politics, even in a state he won by 34 points in 2024. The primary’s high cost and competitive nature highlight the growing financial stakes in political races, with self-funding and external donations playing critical roles. This victory also signals a potential shift in Oklahoma’s political landscape, as Trump’s support continues to impact state-level elections.