PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Gov. Dan McKee gained the financial edge over his once-and-future rival Helena Foulkes during the latest fundraising period, as the two Democrats continue to lay the groundwork for a likely rematch in 2026.

McKee’s campaign took in $250,000 from April 1 to June 30, according to spokesperson Mike Trainor. He said the governor ended the second quarter with $421,000 on hand.

Foulkes — the former CVS executive who placed second in the 2022 primary for governor — has been aggressively raising money to seek the office again in two years. Her spokesperson, Jon Romano, said Foulkes took in $212,000 during the second quarter.

However, Foulkes still ended the quarter with slightly more campaign money on hand than McKee, as was the case three months earlier. Foulkes had about $470,000 on hand as of June 30, Romano said, maintaining a similar gap over the governor as she had in the spring.

With the next gubernatorial primary still far in the future, both spokespersons declined to comment beyond the numbers. Second-quarter fundraising reports are due to the R.I. Board of Elections by the end of Wednesday.

McKee took office in 2021, finishing out the final two years of Gina Raimondo’s unfinished term, before winning the office in his own right in 2022. He is eligible to seek a second full term in 2026 and has repeatedly indicated he plans to do so.

Recent polls have shown McKee’s job approval rating on the decline after months of controversy over the closure of the westbound Washington Bridge.

Foulkes has not officially declared her candidacy, but has acknowledged publicly she is putting the pieces in place to run for governor again.

Ted Nesi ( tnesi@wpri.com ) is a Target 12 investigative reporter and 12 News politics/business editor. He co-hosts Newsmakers and writes Nesi’s Notes on Saturdays. Connect with him on Twitter , Threads and Facebook .

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