Independent Ken Block speaks to the dozens of policy analysts and smart growth advocates in the audience for Grow Smart Rhode Island’s gubernatorial candidate forum on Friday, June 26, 2026. Moderator Jim Hummel is on stage at left. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current)
Even in absentia, Gov. Dan McKee dominated discussion among his opponents during a gubernatorial forum hosted by Grow Smart Rhode Island Friday afternoon.
McKee’s campaign told event organizers the governor could not attend the question-and-answer session during the public policy group’s annual Power of Place summit at the Rhode Island School of Design auditorium in downtown Providence because of a scheduling conflict. So there was no chance for the embattled 75-year-old incumbent, already behind in public polling and without his party’s endorsement, to rebut the criticisms from his challengers…