Matos Leads Loughlin in Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Race

Incumbent Democrat Sabina Matos holds a commanding early lead over Republican challenger John Loughlin with most precincts still unreported.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single capitol dome silhouette over a low coastal horizon under a pale haze, in navy and cream with a red accent. — Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos led Republican John Loughlin 59% to 41% on Tuesday night, with about 63% of Rhode Island precincts reporting. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you expect your grocery and electric bills to get lower over the next year?

Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos leads Republican John Loughlin 59% to 41% in the Rhode Island lieutenant governor race. As of 8:31 p.m., Matos had 89,930 votes to Loughlin's 62,306, with about 63% of precincts reporting.

Why it matters

The result will determine who holds the state's second-highest elected office, which carries a $1.5 million annual budget. Matos, who has served since 2021, is positioning the race as a referendum on her plans to lower grocery and utility costs.

These are unofficial partial returns with roughly 63% of precincts counted, so the final margin could shift as remaining precincts report. The lieutenant governor's office operates on an annual budget of $1.5 million, and the outcome will determine who fills that role for the next term.

The players

Sabina Matos

Rhode Island's Democratic lieutenant governor since 2021, and former Providence City Council president who has pushed grocery price legislation.

John Loughlin

Republican challenger and former state representative who is also a retired Army lieutenant colonel and previously ran closely against David Cicilline in 2010.

The details

Matos, 52, is a former Providence City Council president who was chosen by Governor Dan McKee to succeed him as lieutenant governor in 2021 and won her first full term in 2022. She fended off four challengers in the September Democratic primary before facing Loughlin, a 67-year-old former state representative and retired Army lieutenant colonel.

2021: Matos chosen to replace McKee as lieutenant governor.
2022: Matos wins her first full four-year term.
September: Matos defeats four challengers in the Democratic primary.
November 3, 2026: Election results reported, with Matos leading 59% to 41%.

Season Trajectory

Loughlin's near-miss against David Cicilline in 2010, decided by 6 percentage points, marks the closest prior competitive run in his political record. The current lieutenant governor race continues that pattern of Republicans contesting Democratic-held Rhode Island offices.

If Matos wins, her proposed grocery bill requiring chains to make advertised savings available to all shoppers would move forward alongside two other grocery measures. If Loughlin wins, his plan to remove various fees and surcharges from electric bills would become the office's priority.

The takeaway

Voters in Rhode Island are weighing who will hold the second-highest state office, which directly shapes the lieutenant governor's agenda on grocery and utility costs. Checking official results as more precincts report will give the clearest picture of the final outcome.