PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Democrat Helena Buonanno Foulkes won the Rhode Island governor's race Tuesday, defeating independent Ken Block and Republican Aaron Guckian, according to The Associated Press, as reported by The Boston Globe.

Foulkes, 62, will become the second woman to serve as Rhode Island's governor when she takes office in January, WPRI reported. Two other lesser-known candidates were also on the ballot.

Foulkes has never held elected office. She spent years as a business executive and rose to lead CVS Health's retail pharmacy division, a record that drew attacks from Gov. Dan McKee and other rivals who questioned her handling of the opioid crisis, according to WPRI. She is the granddaughter of former Connecticut U.S. Sen. Thomas Dodd, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a close friend of her mother's, campaigned for her, WPRI reported.

Her path to the office ran through the September Democratic primary, when she defeated McKee 62.5% to 37.5% and carried all 39 cities and towns, the Globe reported. McKee, whose popularity fell after the westbound Washington Bridge was closed, became the first sitting Rhode Island governor to lose a primary in 32 years, according to the Globe.

"Tonight, we may have won the Democratic primary for governor, but let me be clear about what happens next: You will have a governor for everyone," Foulkes said in her primary victory speech, according to the AP.

Foulkes first ran for governor in 2022 and narrowly lost the Democratic primary to McKee, who had taken office the year before when Gina Raimondo joined President Biden's cabinet, WPRI reported.

She led heading into Election Day. A University of New Hampshire poll released Sunday had Foulkes at 55%, Block at 34% and Guckian at 8%, according to the Globe.

Guckian has worked as executive director of the Rhode Island Dental Association, as a development officer for the Rhode Island Foundation and as a special assistant to the state's last Republican governor, the Globe reported.