Rhode Island Poll Shows Foulkes Leading Block by 9 Points

A WPRI/Emerson College poll of 800 likely voters finds Democrat Helena Foulkes leading independent Ken Block 44% to 35% in Rhode Island’s governor’s race, with Republican Aaron Guckian at 10% and 9% undecided. Foulkes’ lead has narrowed substantially from August, when she was ahead by 24 points, as Block has gained ground; when undecided voters were asked to choose, the candidates stood at 48%, 38% and 12%, respectively. Block and Guckian have each faced calls to leave the race, but Guckian has rejected pressure to withdraw, and analysts say Block may need to win support from beyond undecided voters to catch Foulkes. The same poll shows a close lieutenant governor contest, with Republican John Loughlin at 45% and Democratic incumbent Sabina Matos at 44%, a margin within the survey’s 3.5-point margin of error.