Helena Foulkes

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Says housing costs are the top concern she hears and proposes a "Rhode Home" program to create 20,000 homes and apartments, paid for with the state's millionaire's tax.[1],[2]
• Says she would raise Medicaid reimbursement rates to keep primary care doctors and nurses in Rhode Island and draw down more federal money.[1]
• Proposes a $100 million investment in classroom-to-career programs.[1],[3]
• Says she would hire a new transportation director from outside RIDOT to prevent another Washington Bridge failure.[2],[4]
• Says she will push back against Trump administration actions and funding cuts that affect Rhode Island.[5],[3]

Background

• Executive chair, Follett Higher Education · As of 2023–2026[6]
• Board member, Crossroads Rhode Island · Current[3]
• Democratic candidate for governor (second in the primary), 2022 Rhode Island gubernatorial election · 2022[7]
• Chief executive officer, Hudson's Bay Company · 2018–2020[6],[7]
• Executive, rising to president of CVS Pharmacy (2014–2018), CVS · 1992–2018[6],[7]
• President of the board (member 2016–2022), Harvard Board of Overseers · 2021–2022[7]

Education

• B.A., Harvard College (1986)[6],[7]
• MBA, Harvard Business School (1992)[6],[7]

Where they stand

• Housing
  Proposes using millionaire's tax revenue to create a revolving loan fund for developers, which she estimates would produce 20,000 units; says bonds are not the best way to fund housing construction.[1],[3]
• Health Care
  Supports raising Medicaid reimbursement rates and drawing down more federal funding to stabilize hospitals and primary care.[1]
• Energy & Environment
  Says renewable energy is cheaper than fossil fuels and that the state can lower energy bills without rolling back its climate goals.[1]
• Education
  Proposes a $100 million bond to expand career and technical education.[3]
• Infrastructure
  Proposes creating an Office of Safety and Accountability for state infrastructure projects after the Washington Bridge failure, and hiring a transportation director from outside the Department of Transportation.[4],[2]
• Abortion
  Supports expanding abortion access and describes herself as pro-choice.[2],[3]
• Taxes
  Said she is open to a temporary suspension of the state gas tax.[3]
• Transgender Athletes
  Said decisions on transgender athletes in women's sports should be left to local teams, while emphasizing protections for transgender people.[3]

Voting record

Helena Foulkes has not held an office with a recorded voting record. See Background and Where they stand.

In their words