PROVIDENCE — An independent expenditure group funded by unions backing Governor Daniel J. McKee has released polling results showing him closer to Democratic challenger Helena Buonanno Foulkes than independent polling has indicated.
A series of independent polls have shown McKee trailing Foulkes by 20 percentage points or more. But a newly formed outside group, called Working Rhode Island Forward, said it commissioned a poll that placed McKee within 6 percentage points of Foulkes.
The group hired Tavern Research to survey 777 likely Rhode Island Democratic primary voters from July 10 to July 14. It found Foulkes leading with 39 percent of the vote, compared to 33 percent for McKee, and 28 percent undecided.
When voters leaning toward one candidate or the other were included in the results, the poll found 41 percent for Foulkes, 36 percent for McKee, and 23 percent undecided. The margin of error for those results was 4.4 percent.
“There is a clear path for Governor McKee’s reelection with a large pool of persuadable voters still undecided,” said Andrew Feldman, a Washington-based Democratic communications consultant who is Working Rhode Island Forward’s spokesperson. “This race is much tighter than previously reported. We look forward to communicating Governor McKee’s record in a way that connects with the voters who will decide this primary — the working people of Rhode Island.”
Joe Fleming, a longtime Rhode Island pollster, noted the poll was not conducted by an independent organization, and that no other poll has shown McKee this close to Foulkes.
“It’s an outlier,” Fleming said. “I would need to see more polling that shows Dan McKee has closed that gap.”
He noted that a University of New Hampshire poll conducted June 18 to June 23 found Foulkes at 42 percent and McKee at 22 percent. A 12 News/Emerson College poll conducted May 14 to May 16 showed Foulkes at 40 percent and McKee at 20 percent. And another UNH poll conducted April 16 to April 20 found Foulkes at 45 percent and McKee 11 percent.
“I think we need to see a little more independent polling before we conclude he’s closed the gap,” Fleming said. “I don’t know the polling group, so I can’t give an opinion.”
The poll released by the Working Rhode Island Forward group found 47 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of McKee and 47 percent have an unfavorable opinion of him. By contrast, 51 percent have a favorable opinion of Foulkes while 33 percent have an unfavorable opinion of her.
The poll found that voters identified the top two issues affecting Rhode Island as “overall cost of living and affordability,” and “healthcare costs.”
On Tuesday night, the executive board for Rhode Island Council 94, AFSCME, endorsed McKee for reelection. Council 94 represents 10,000 active and retired state, municipal, and private sector employees.
”Council 94’s endorsement is reflective of Governor McKee’s steady leadership through the COVID pandemic; negotiating fair state employees’ contracts; supporting municipalities and school departments; and providing funding increases to the University of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College," Michael B. McDonald, Council 94 president, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Providence Streets Coalition — an alliance of 42 groups, businesses, schools, and neighborhood associations advocating for “people-friendly streets” — endorsed Foulkes on Tuesday night.
“Helena has been a vocal champion for safer streets, investing in a robust, accessible public transit system, and expanding multi-mobility options here in Rhode Island,” said Nicole O’Loughlin, the Providence Streets Coalition/Save RIPTA political director. “Our next governor must put Rhode Islanders first and ensure every resident and visitor can travel safely and efficiently around our state. Helena Foulkes stands out in her commitment to this issue.”
The Democratic primary is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.