R.I. Democratic Committee issues no endorsement for governor or lieutenant governor

PROVIDENCE – In an unusual move, the Rhode Island Democratic Committee issued no endorsement for governor or lieutenant governor on Saturday.

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Incumbent Governor Dan McKee got 82 votes, while his challenger, former CVS executive Helena Buonanno Foulkes, got 73 votes. There were 11 votes for no endorsement, including from the party chair, Liz Beretta-Perik.

To secure an endorsement, a candidate needs 50 percent of the votes cast plus one vote. McKee needed 84 votes to secure the endorsement, and came up two votes short.

Party officials said they could not recall the last time the committee did not endorse an incumbent Democratic governor. Beretta-Perik later said she voted for no endorsement because she needed to stay neutral.

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McKee left the Teamsters Local 251 union hall in East Providence soon after the vote, without talking to reporters.

The committee also did not endorse a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Out of 162 votes, incumbent Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos received just 55 votes, while former Newport mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong received 71. Providence City Council member Sue AnderBois received 15 votes, and former state senator Cynthia Coyne got 13. Eight people voted for no endorsement.

Party officials said they could not recall the last time the committee did not endorse an incumbent Democratic governor.

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This is a breaking news story and will be updated.