United States Senate election in Rhode Island, 2026

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← 2024
U.S. Senate, Rhode Island
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: June 24, 2026
Primary: September 9, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Rhode Island
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
U.S. Senate, Rhode Island U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd Rhode Island elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 Alabama U.S. Senate raceAlaska U.S. Senate raceArkansas U.S. Senate raceColorado U.S. Senate raceDelaware U.S. Senate raceGeorgia U.S. Senate raceIdaho U.S. Senate raceIllinois U.S. Senate raceIowa U.S. Senate raceKansas U.S. Senate raceKentucky U.S. Senate raceLouisiana U.S. Senate raceMaine U.S. Senate raceMassachusetts U.S. Senate raceMichigan U.S. Senate raceMinnesota U.S. Senate raceMississippi U.S. Senate raceMontana U.S. Senate raceNebraska U.S. Senate raceNew Hampshire U.S. Senate raceNew Jersey U.S. Senate raceNew Mexico U.S. Senate raceNorth Carolina U.S. Senate raceOklahoma U.S. Senate raceOregon U.S. Senate raceRhode Island U.S. Senate raceSouth Carolina U.S. Senate raceSouth Dakota U.S. Senate raceTennessee U.S. Senate raceTexas U.S. Senate raceVirginia U.S. Senate raceWest Virginia U.S. Senate raceWyoming U.S. Senate raceSubmit

Voters in Rhode Island will elect one member to the U.S. Senate in the general election on November 3, 2026. The election will fill the Class II Senate seat held by Jack Reed (D), who first took office in 1997. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

• Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
• Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Incumbent Jack Reed, Connor Burbridge, Raymond McKay, Allen Waters, and Jon Lindley are running in the general election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Jack Reed (D)
		Connor Burbridge (D)
		Raymond McKay (R)
		Allen Waters (R)
	Submit photo	Jon Lindley (Independent)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Connor Burbridge

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I'm a working class Rhode Islander running to change the Democratic Party for the better. I am an elder-care employee and a small business owner who knows what it's like to struggle to pay bills. We need a new vision of the party that delivers for the hard working people of Rhode Island and stands up to mega-corporations and the ultra-wealthy."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Tackling income inequality and the high cost of living.

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Restoring the rule of law and protecting democracy.

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Averting the climate crisis and building green infrastructure.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Rhode Island

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Tackling income inequality and the high cost of living.

Restoring the rule of law and protecting democracy.

Averting the climate crisis and building green infrastructure.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Connor Burbridge (D)

We need to radically rethink the economy so that it works for everyday people. The current system is rigged in favor of big business against the little guy.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Connor Burbridge (D)

I really look up to my grandparents, who have all passed away now. They were from hard-working immigrant families. They worked in factories and were proud union-members. My grandparents were able to establish a middle class life for our family and helped build this country. My one grandfather served in the Navy in WWII. They lived through tough times and their grit, resolve, humbleness, care, and joy in the small things in life inspire me every day.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Our Revolution; Working Lives: An Oral History of Rhode Island Labor; The Rise and Fall of the New Deal Order, 1930-1980

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Humility - being representative of the people and understanding their problems. Integrity - sticking to your values even when it's tough. Teamwork - building a strong team to get the job done.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Connor Burbridge (D)

A strong leader. I am willing to do whatever it takes to fight for hard-working people. I have lived firsthand the struggles that most Americans go through. I'm able to bring a strong team together to get a job done. I have the same values that my grandparents taught me: grit, resolve, humbleness, care, and joy.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Connor Burbridge (D)

1) To vigorously advance the interests of your constituents; 2) To be accessible to ordinary, hard-working people, not wealthy donors; and 3) To fight hard for what you believe in, putting it all on the line.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Making a difference in the lives of working-people. Making our country better. Making Rhode Islanders proud.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Connor Burbridge (D)

9/11, it inspired me at a young age to want to serve my community and country. Once I turned 18, I signed up to join the U.S. Army. Both my parents were laid off at the same time during the Great Recession. When my Dad told me he lost his job, he began to well up. It was one of the only times I ever saw him shed a tear.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Connor Burbridge (D)

I worked at a gas station store when I was in high school. I started at the register and then moved up to organizing the cooler when orders came in. Working in the cooler was great because it was quiet, and I could listen to music on my old iPod shuffle.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Whatever I'm currently reading. I'm always getting new books from the public library.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Connor Burbridge (D)

"I get knocked down, but I get up again. You're never gonna keep me down."

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Mental Health is something that was really tough for me when I was younger. I'm really lucky to have supportive family, partner, and friends that have helped me get to the place where I am today.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Reconfiguring an economy that works for everyone. Passing and using new anti-trust laws to break up monopolies and spur competition. Providing relief to small businesses. Restructuring the tax code to make the rich pay their fair share.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Connor Burbridge (D)

We should have 18 year term limits for both congressional and judicial office. After 18 years, leaders can get stale and unresponsive to the people they are supposed to represent.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Not necessarily. Being a career politician can warp someone's perspective and limit their knowledge of how life actually operates for their constituents.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Bernie Sanders

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

Connor Burbridge (D)

I would scrutinize judicial nominees for their political independence and philosophy on constitutional interpretation. Any judge who uses originalism as a methodology should be automatically disqualified for seeking to impose a retrograde and deeply problematic view of the past on modern Americans.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

Connor Burbridge (D)

To aggressively uphold democracy from the attacks of the current administration.

What committees interest you?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Environment and Public Works; Energy and Natural Resources; Committee on Appropriations.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Connor Burbridge (D)

Money in politics is one of the defining issues of our time. Too many politicians are bought and sold by wealthy donors and big corporations. We need take dark money out of elections so that the voice of working people can hold sway.

You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

• Allen Waters

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Jack Reed	Democratic Party	$2,350,888	$1,827,741	$2,532,534	As of June 30, 2025
Connor Burbridge	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Raymond McKay	Republican Party	$20,765	$19,421	$1,683	As of June 30, 2025
Allen Waters	Republican Party	$0	$345	$1,544	As of March 31, 2025
Jon Lindley	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: U.S. Senate election in Rhode Island, 2026
Race tracker	Race ratings
	9/30/2025	9/23/2025	9/16/2025	9/9/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

Election history

The section below details election results for this state's U.S. Senate elections dating back to 2018.

2024

See also: United States Senate election in Rhode Island, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse defeated Patricia Morgan and Armando Anzoli in the general election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sheldon Whitehouse (D)	59.9	294,665
		Patricia Morgan (R)	39.8	196,039
	Submit photo	Armando Anzoli (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	1,244

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 491,948
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse defeated Michael Costa in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on September 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sheldon Whitehouse	83.8	49,401
		Michael Costa	16.2	9,572

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 58,973
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Allen Waters (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Patricia Morgan defeated Raymond McKay in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on September 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Patricia Morgan	64.4	12,108
		Raymond McKay	35.6	6,681

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,789
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Incumbent Jack Reed defeated Allen Waters in the general election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jack Reed (D)	66.5	328,574
		Allen Waters (R)	33.4	164,855
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	833

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 494,262
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Lenine Camacho (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Incumbent Jack Reed advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on September 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jack Reed	100.0	65,879

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 65,879
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Allen Waters advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on September 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allen Waters	100.0	8,819

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,819
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island

Incumbent Sheldon Whitehouse defeated Robert Flanders Jr. in the general election for U.S. Senate Rhode Island on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sheldon Whitehouse (D)	61.4	231,477
		Robert Flanders Jr. (R)	38.3	144,421
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	840

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 376,738
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Raymond McKay (Independent)

Election analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this state's elections when those are available.

See also

Rhode Island	2026 primaries	2026 U.S. Congress elections
Rhode Island congressional delegation Voting in Rhode Island Rhode Island elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Rhode Island's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jack Reed (D)

Sheldon Whitehouse (D)

Representatives

District 1

Gabe Amo (D)

District 2

Seth Magaziner (D)

Democratic Party (4)

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