2026 Rhode Island Attorney General election
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November 3, 2026
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The 2026 Rhode Island Attorney General election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the Attorney General of Rhode Island. Incumbent Democrat Peter Neronha is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Kimberly Ahern, former prosecutor and Cannabis Control Commission chair[1]
- Keith Hoffmann, former chief of policy for Peter Neronha[2]
- Jason Knight, state representative from the 67th district (2017–present)[3]
- Joseph Solomon Jr., state representative from the 22nd district (2015–present)[4][5]
Withdrawn
[edit]- Robert Craven, state representative from the 32nd district (2013–present)[6]
Endorsements
[edit]Kimberly Ahern
- Statewide officials
- Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont (1991–2003) and chair of the Democratic National Committee (2005–2009)[7]
- Jeffrey Pine, former attorney general of Rhode Island (1993–1999)[8]
- State legislators
- 9 current and former state senators[a]
- 4 current and former state representatives[b]
- Local officials
- Christopher Beauchamp, mayor of Woonsocket (2023–present)[10]
- Joseph Polisena Jr., mayor of Johnston (2023–present)[8]
- Labor unions
- Ironworkers Local 37[8]
- United Association Local 51[11]
- United Nurses and Allied Professionals[12]
- Organizations
Keith Hoffman
- U.S. senators
- Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts (2013–present)[15]
- Statewide officials
- Peter Neronha, attorney general of Rhode Island (2019–present)[16]
- Local officials
- Jeffrey Mutter, Mayor of Cumberland (2019–present)[17]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Joseph Solomon
- State legislators
- David Tikoian, state senator from the 22nd district (2023–present)[20]
- Local officials
- Labor unions
- International Brotherhood of Police Officers[15]
- National Association of Government Employees[15]
- Rhode Island State Association of Fire Fighters[15]
- Rhode Island Troopers Association[12]
- Organizations
Declined to endorse
- Party officials
- Liz Beretta-Perik, chair of the Rhode Island Democratic Party (2023–present)[22]
- Political parties
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Kimberly Ahern |
Keith Hoffmann |
Jason Knight |
Joseph Solomon Jr. |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[23] | August 20–24, 2026 | 422 (LV) | ± 4.6% | 16% | 20% | 7% | 12% | – | 46% |
| Emerson College/WPRI-TV[24] | August 21–22, 2026 | 528 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 24% | 18% | 9% | 14% | – | 35% |
| Embold Research[25][A] | August 3–11, 2026 | (LV) | — | 23% | 13% | 5% | 10% | 3%[d] | 46% |
| Emerson College/WPRI-TV[26] | May 14–16, 2026 | 565 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 9% | 5% | 5% | 9% | – | 72% |
Debates
[edit]| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||||
| Kimberly Ahern | Keith Hoffmann | Jason Knight | Joseph J. Solomon Jr. | |||||
| 1[27] | Aug. 11, 2026 | WPRI-TV | Ted Nesi Tim White |
YouTube | P | P | P | P |
| 2 | Aug. 14, 2026 | WJAR | Gene Valicenti | YouTube | P | P | P | P |
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Presumptive nominee
[edit]General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[29] | Safe D | August 21, 2025 |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ↑
- Jake Bissaillon, 1st district (2023–present)[9]
- Alana DiMario, 36th district (2021–present)[9]
- Meghan Kallman, 15th district (2021–present)[9]
- Melissa Murray, 24th district (2019–present)[9]
- Donna Nesselbush, former 15th district (2011–2021)[8]
- Rhoda Perry, former 3rd district (1991–2012)[8]
- Bridget Valverde, 35th district (2019–present)[9]
- Lammis Vargas, 28th district (2025–present)[9]
- Myrth York, former 2nd district (1991–1995) and nominee for governor in 1994, 1998, and 2002[8]
- ↑
- Edith Ajello, 1st district (1993–present)[8]
- Karen Alzate, 60th district (2019–present)[9]
- Linda Kushner, former 4th district (1983–1993) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994[8]
- Teresa Tanzi, 34th district (2011–present)[9]
- ↑ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ↑ "Would not vote" with 3%
Partisan clients
- ↑ Poll sponsored by Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy.
References
[edit]- ↑ Donnis, Ian (October 23, 2025). "Kim Ahern, Chas Calenda join the race for attorney general in Rhode Island". Ocean State Media. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ Gregg, Katherine (August 18, 2025). "RI's 2026 attorney general race draws its first candidate. Here's who is running". The Providence Journal. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
- ↑ Gregg, Katherine (October 6, 2025). "He championed the 'assault weapons' ban in the Assembly. Now he's running for AG". The Providence Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2025.
- ↑ Fitzpatrick, Edward (October 7, 2025). "Rhode Island's 2026 race for attorney general is in a state of flux". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ↑ Winthrop, Christian (January 20, 2026). "State Rep. Joseph Solomon Announces Run for Rhode Island Attorney General". Newport Buzz. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ Shea, Christopher (October 2, 2025). "Rep. Robert Craven bows out of Rhode Island Attorney General race". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved October 12, 2025.
- ↑ "The Scoop: Ahern Gets Howard Dean's Nod, Coyne Names Team, Morales…". Go Local Prov. April 3, 2026. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "East Side Trailblazers Endorse Kim Ahern for Attorney General". LPR News. August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Following Strong Debate Performance, Elected Leaders Across Rhode Island Endorse Kim Ahern for Attorney General". LPR News. August 26, 2026. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
- ↑ "The Scoop: Ahern Scores More Endorsements, Bahry Announces for U.S. Senate, Torres Running for Prov. City Council". Go Local Prov. June 6, 2026.
- ↑ "UA Local 51 Endorses Ahern for AG". Warwick Beacon. August 13, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Lavin, Nancy (March 5, 2026). "AG Neronha backs Helena Foulkes. But endorsements whisper. Money talks". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved March 6, 2026.
- ↑ "EMILYs List Endorses in Rhode Island, Delaware, and Vermont Attorneys General Races". emilyslist.org. June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Endorsed Candidates". LPAC. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Castro, Alexander (August 13, 2026). "Solomon hits airwaves with TV ad in Democratic attorney general primary". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Gregg, Katherine. "He championed the 'assault weapons' ban in the Assembly. Now he's running for AG". The Providence Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
Neronha has endorsed the only other announced candidate so far, his former chief of policy, Keith Hoffmann.
- ↑ News Team, GoLocalProv (April 22, 2026). "The Scoop: Pawtucket Firefighter Endorses Greenman, Mutter Supports Hoffman, Solomon Lands Picozzi's Nod". GoLocalProv. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
As Mayor, I need a partner at the Attorney General's Office who understands what communities like Cumberland are dealing with — keeping people safe, supporting our police, and making sure our schools are strong and our kids are protected," Mutter said. "Keith has the experience, the commitment to excellent work, the backbone to stand up when it matters, and the independence we need in our Attorney General.
- ↑ Anderson, Patrick (July 24, 2026). "What McKee endorsement by key teachers union says about the governor's race". The Providence Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Climate Action Rhode Island Endorses Keith Hoffmann for RI Attorney General". 350.org. August 7, 2026. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Zangari, Adam (January 20, 2026). "Rep. Joe Solomon announces run for Attorney General". WJAR. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
The representative also touted an endorsement from Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian.
- ↑ News Team, GoLocalProv (April 22, 2026). "The Scoop: Pawtucket Firefighter Endorses Greenman, Mutter Supports Hoffman, Solomon Lands Picozzi's Nod". GoLocalProv. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi today announced his endorsement of Joseph Solomon Jr. for Attorney General of Rhode Island.
- 1 2 Lavin, Nancy (June 22, 2026). "A party divided: RI Dems convention split leaves no endorsements for governor, LG and AG". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Approval of McKee Remains Low, Foulkes Opens Wide Lean in Democratic Rhode Island Gubernatorial Primary". August 27, 2026. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
- ↑ "12 News/Emerson College Poll Results – August 2026". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
- ↑ Sonder, Katie (August 18, 2026). "August 2026 Survey Report". Salve Regina University. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ "12 News/Emerson College Poll Results – May 2026". WPRI-TV. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
- ↑ Shaun, Towne (August 11, 2026). "WATCH: RI Attorney General Democratic Primary Debate". WPRI-TV. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ Page, Nolan (June 23, 2026). "Gov. McKee and his main rival Foulkes officially declare their candidacy for September primary". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
- ↑ "State Attorneys General: The Top Races to be "Top Cop"". Sabato's Crystal Ball. August 21, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
External links
[edit]Official campaign websites
