Four years ago, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee won the Democratic primary by a small margin.

His opponent, Helena Foulkes, called to admit defeat, but McKee refused to take the call.

Now Foulkes is challenging him to another race in the Sept. 9 primary.

McKee is trying to avoid becoming the first U.S. governor to lose a primary since 2018.

Foulkes, a former CVS Health executive, has raised more money than McKee and is running many campaign ads.

She says voters feel that state government works only for a powerful few.

McKee, 75, also faces anger over the Washington Bridge repair project in Providence.

He closed the westbound side in 2023 after officials found a serious problem.

Repairs have taken longer and cost more than promised.

McKee says he kept people safe and that the bridge will be finished by 2028.

He compares the project to Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement, which is set for 2030.

Political scientist Adam Myers said bridges give voters a clear target for blame.

McKee has attacked Foulkes as an out-of-touch corporate executive who helped cause the opioid crisis.

Foulkes denies that and says CVS reduced opioid dispersal by 40% during her time there.

Foulkes, 62, has family political ties and worked at CVS for 25 years.

She warns that McKee’s criticism of her is also criticism of CVS, a major Rhode Island employer.

McKee points to labor support, though the state Democratic Party and AFL-CIO did not support anyone.

Foulkes has support from Democrats in McKee’s hometown of Cumberland.

She said, “It’s a great moment to be an outsider.”