Meet the Candidates: Rhode Island Governor
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In November, Rhode Islanders will vote on a number of key races, including their next governor.
Incumbent Dan McKee is looking to win his first full term in the state’s top office. After securing a win in the Democratic primary, he’ll face GOP nominee Ashley Kalus, Libertarian Elijah Gizzarelli and independents Paul Rianna Jr. and Zachary Hurwitz in the general election.
Skip to a Candidate: Dan McKee ☆ Ashley Kalus ☆ Elijah Gizzarelli ☆ Zachary Hurwitz ☆ Paul Rianna Jr.
Here’s some information on the current candidates:
Dan McKee (D)
McKee took over as governor of Rhode Island in March 2021 after Gina Raimondo left to join the Biden administration.
He previously served as her lieutenant governor starting in 2014, and before that served as the mayor of his native Cumberland for 12 years.
WATCH: McKee’s primary victory speech 9/13/22
Visit McKee’s campaign website »
Ashley Kalus (R)
Kalus is the GOP nominee in the race. She’s a newcomer to Rhode Island with a background in politics and business, having worked on the campaign of former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2014. More recently, a company run by Kalus and her husband won an $8 million COVID-19 testing contract with the state of Rhode Island.
Kalus, 39, kicked off her campaign with the release of a video in March. She and her husband have three school-age sons and bought a home in Newport last year.
Visit Kalus’s campaign website »
Elijah Gizzarelli (L)
Gizzarelli is the Libertarian Party of Rhode Island‘s endorsed candidate in the gubernatorial race.
According to his website, he’s a lifelong Rhode Islander with a passion for political activism. After graduating from Cranston High School West, he served in the U.S. Army as a translator for five years, then in the Army National Guard for a year and a half.
Visit Gizzarelli’s campaign website »
Zachary Hurwitz (I)
At 18 years old, Hurwitz bills himself as the “youngest candidate to run for Rhode Island governor.”
He’s currently a freshman at URI, studying international studies and diplomacy, according to his campaign website.
Visit Hurwitz’s campaign website »
Paul Rianna Jr. (I)
Rianna is an independent candidate who describes himself as “a regular person fighting for the people.”
His website says he was born and raised in South Providence.
