Share on WeChat
https://www.powervoter.us:443/office
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Copy the link and open WeChat to share.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.
 Share on WeChat
Scan QRCode using WeChat,and then click the icon at the top-right corner of your screen.

Rhode Island, Governor

Incumbent Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) defeated Allan Fung (R) and four others in the November 6, 2018, general election for governor of Rhode Island.

Democrats' trifecta status in the state was at stake. Heading into the election, Rhode Island was one of eight states with a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats controlled the state House, state Senate, and governorship. Democrats maintained a trifecta after the November 6 elections.

Raimondo and Fung faced off in the 2014 gubernatorial election, which Raimondo won by 4.5 percentage points. The Democratic Governors Association contributed $2 million toward the 2018 race through October 9, and the Republican Governors Association contributed $950,000 through October 2.

Independent and third-party candidates in the race included Anne Armstrong (Compassion Party), Bill Gilbert (Moderate Party of Rhode Island), Luis-Daniel Munoz (Independent), and Joseph Trillo (Independent).

Trillo, who performed best among non-major-party candidates in several polls, was expected to garner votes from Republican-leaning voters.

The winner of this election stood to influence the state's redistricting process following the 2020 census. Under Rhode Island state law, the governor has the power to veto congressional and state legislative district maps proposed by the state legislature.

Rhode Island was one of 36 states that held an election for governor in 2018. Democrats gained seven previously Republican-held seats, and Republicans gained one previously independent-held seat. Heading into the 2018 elections, there were 16 Democratic governors, 33 Republican governors, and one independent governor. In 2018, 26 of the 33 states with a Republican governor held a gubernatorial election, while nine out of the 16 states with a Democratic governor held a gubernatorial election. Seventeen of the 36 seats up for election were open seats (four Democratic, 12 Republican, and one independent), meaning that the sitting governor was not seeking re-election.

Polls

Rhode Island gubernatorial election, 2018

Poll Poll sponsor Gina Raimondo Allan FungBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/Don't knowMargin of ErrorSample Size
Fleming & Associates
October 20-24, 2018
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 45%34%2%2%9%1%8%+/-4.8416
University of New Hampshire
Sept. 27-Oct. 6, 2018
RIPR/Providence Journal/ABC6 48%34%1%1%5%1%11%+/-4.4503
Fleming & Associates
September 14-17, 2018
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 43%36%2%1%7%1%9%+/-4.8420
Rhode Island Governor, 2018 (Raimondo vs. Fung hypothetical match-up)
Poll Poll sponsor Gina Raimondo Allan FungBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Fleming & Associates
(July 28-31, 2018)
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 39%37%1%1%6%1%16%+/-4.8407
TargetPoint Consulting
(November 4-7, 2017)
The Fung campaign 41%46%0%0%0%0%13%+/-4.0600
AVERAGES 40% 41.5% 0.5% 0.5% 3% 0.5% 14.5% +/-4.4 503.5
Rhode Island Governor, 2018 (Raimondo v. Morgan hypothetical matchup)
Poll Poll sponsor Gina Raimondo Patricia MorganBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Fleming & Associates
(July 28-31, 2018)
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 42%24%2%2%8%2%22%+/-4.8407
Rhode Island Governor, 2018 (Raimondo v. Feroce hypothetical matchup)
Poll Poll sponsor Gina Raimondo Giovanni FeroceBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Fleming & Associates
(July 28-31, 2018)
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 44%9%1%3%12%2%30%+/-4.8407
Rhode Island Governor, 2018 (Brown v. Fung hypothetical matchup)
Poll Poll sponsor Matt Brown Allan FungBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Fleming & Associates
(July 28-31, 2018)
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 21%36%3%2%7%1%30%+/-4.8407
Rhode Island Governor, 2018 (Brown v. Morgan hypothetical matchup)
Poll Poll sponsor Matt Brown Patricia MorganBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Fleming & Associates
(July 28-31, 2018)
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 25%21%4%3%9%2%36%+/-4.8407
Rhode Island Governor, 2018 (Brown v. Feroce hypothetical matchup)
Poll Poll sponsor Matt Brown Giovanni FeroceBill GilbertAnne ArmstrongJoseph TrilloLuiz Daniel MunozUndecided/OtherMargin of errorSample size
Fleming & Associates
(July 28-31, 2018)
WPRI-12/Roger Williams University 28%8%3%5%11%2%44%+/-4.8407

Race ratings

The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage. Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Rhode Island gubernatorial election, 2018

Race trackerRace ratings
November 5, 2018October 30, 2018October 23, 2018October 16, 2018
The Cook Political ReportLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallLikely DemocraticLikely DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic

Election history

2014

Governor of Rhode Island, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngGina Raimondo 40.7% 131,899
Republican Allan Fung 36.2% 117,428
Moderate Robert Healey 21.4% 69,278
Independent Kate Fletcher 1.1% 3,483
Independent Leon Kayarian 0.4% 1,228
Nonpartisan Write-in votes 0.2% 739
Total Votes 324,055
Election results via State of Rhode Island

2010

Governor of Rhode Island, 2010

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Independent Green check mark transparent.pngLincoln Chafee 36.1% 123,571
Republican John F. Robitaille 33.6% 114,911
Democratic Frank T. Caprio 23% 78,896
Moderate Ken Block 6.5% 22,146
Independent Ronald Algieri 0.2% 793
Independent Todd Giroux 0.3% 882
Independent Joseph M. Lusi 0.3% 1,091
Total Votes 342,290
Election results Rhode Island Board of Elections

2006

Governor of Rhode Island, 2006

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDonald Carcieri Incumbent 51% 197,306
Democratic Charles J. Fogarty 49% 189,503
Total Votes 386,809

2002

Governor of Rhode Island, 2002

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDonald Carcieri 54.8% 181,827
Democratic Myrth York 45.2% 150,229
Total Votes 332,056

Demographics

Demographic data for Rhode Island

Rhode IslandU.S.
Total population:1,055,607316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):1,0343,531,905
Gender
Female:51.6%50.8%
Race and ethnicity**
White:81.1%73.6%
Black/African American:6.5%12.6%
Asian:3.2%5.1%
Native American:0.5%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.8%3%
Hispanic/Latino:13.6%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:86.2%86.7%
College graduation rate:31.9%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$56,852$53,889
Persons below poverty level:17.3%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Rhode Island.

As of July 2016, Rhode Island's three largest cities were Providence (pop. est. 180,000), Cranston (pop. est. 81,000), and Warwick (pop. est. 81,000).