Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, made a surprise visit to Rhode Island on Sunday, August 30, to lend her support to Democrat Helena Foulkes in her bid for the governor's seat. Foulkes, who is running against incumbent Dan McKee, currently holds a significant lead in the polls, with at least a 15-point advantage.
The event, held at Farm Fresh Rhode Island, was a "get-out-the-vote" rally that drew a crowd of Foulkes supporters. Pelosi took the stage and reminisced about her friendship with Foulkes, dating back to their college days 60 years ago. She recounted a time when she and her future husband, Paul, double-dated with Foulkes' parents, Bernie and Martha Dodd Buonanno.
Pelosi, who is not seeking reelection after nearly 40 years in Congress, spoke passionately about the challenges facing governors in the current political climate. She highlighted the pressure states face from federal policies, such as the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP benefits, which she attributed to the Trump administration's policies.
"We need a values-based, determined decision-maker, courageous enough to make the decisions," Pelosi said, referring to Foulkes. "I'm here as a former first woman Speaker of the House, but I'm a former state [Democratic Party] chair and I know what we have to do to win elections."
Foulkes, 62, expressed her determination to win the race and send a message to the state of Rhode Island. "I don't want to just win this race, okay? I want to crush this. We're going to crush it because we're going to send a message: the state needs to work for everyone in this state, not the powerful few."
The rally included a rousing chant led by Foulkes' director of volunteers, Elisabeth Wales, who encouraged the crowd to support Foulkes and chant, "We are Rhode Island." Pelosi and her husband planned to have dinner in Providence before heading to Martha's Vineyard to discuss strategies on how to "protect the election."
Pelosi emphasized the importance of protecting elections against threats from the administration. "There are probably over a hundred ways that the administration could undermine an election, but we have been doing this for a while," she said. "This isn't new. But for this year, we've been doing litigation, winning almost every case in court, legislation to make the members [make] a choice about this so the people can see where they are."
Pelosi also highlighted the need for elected officials at all levels to communicate with each other and ensure they have the resources and political backing to protect elections. "It's also about just making sure the public knows: Do not be afraid to vote," she said.
The event was a powerful display of political support for Foulkes, as she seeks to take back the governor's office for the Democrats. With Pelosi's endorsement and the strong lead in the polls, Foulkes appears poised to make a significant impact on the political landscape of Rhode Island.
*This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal:* [*Nancy Pelosi backs Helena Foulkes in Rhode Island race*](https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/30/pelosi-campaigns-for-helena-foulkes-in-rhode-island/91511739007/)
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