Compare candidates running in this Rhode Island federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.
Party: Independent
Party: Republican
Party: Republican
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Rhode Island is a solidly Democratic state. A Democratic hold in this seat maintains Democratic strength in the Senate.
Jon Lindley is an independent candidate running in the 2026 Rhode Island Senate general election on November 3, 2026. He is not running in either the Democratic or Republican primary (scheduled for September 8, 2026) but rather filed as an independent general election candidate. Limited information is available about Lindley's background, policy positions, or campaign platform.
Allen Waters is a Republican candidate running in the 2026 U.S. Senate Republican primary. A 67-year-old from Providence, Rhode Island, Waters is a 4th-generation resident and 30-year investment consultant who describes himself as a 'People's Candidate.' Waters has run for federal office five times in seven years, including a 2020 Senate run against Jack Reed where he received 33% of the vote, House runs in 2022 (36% against David Cicilline) and 2024 (lost to Gabe Amo), and a 2023 Democratic primary run for the same House seat. Waters identifies as socially conservative and has expressed concerns about cultural issues while advocating for economic populism and constitutional conservatism. He has brought on professional campaign infrastructure for the first time, hiring campaign manager Christopher Olean.
Raymond 'Ray' McKay is a Republican candidate running in the 2026 U.S. Senate primary. Born October 11, 1960 in Providence, Rhode Island, McKay is a father/stepfather of four children with 13 grandchildren. He served in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1992, working on electronic maintenance for the Pershing Nuclear Missile System in West Germany. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant with one Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, and three good conduct medals. McKay worked for 26 years as the network and telecommunications manager for the City of Warwick, where he oversaw complex IT operations and infrastructure projects. He was president of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) from 2005 to 2014 and has been a grassroots political activist for over two decades.
Connor Burbridge is a working-class Rhode Islander running as a progressive challenger to incumbent Jack Reed in the Democratic primary. He is an elder care worker and small business owner who describes himself as someone who knows what it's like to struggle to pay bills. Burbridge represents the left wing of the Democratic Party, advocating for Medicare for All, climate action, and an end to 'forever wars.' He is running an explicitly anti-establishment campaign, criticizing Reed for being too accommodating to the Trump administration and seeking old-fashioned bipartisanship rather than bold progressive solutions.
Jack Reed is the incumbent U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, first elected in 1996 and serving since January 3, 1997. Born in Providence in 1949, Reed is a West Point graduate (1971) who served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1979, achieving the rank of major in the Army Reserve. He earned a Master's degree from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government (1973) and a law degree from Harvard Law School (1982). Reed previously served in the Rhode Island State Senate (1985-1991) and the U.S. House of Representatives (1991-1997). He is currently the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, having previously served as Chairman from 2021-2025. Reed serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
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Waters lost to Reed 66.5% to 33% in 2020 Senate race
Waters' strongest showing was in 2022 House race against Cicilline with 36% of vote, showing limited electoral success despite multiple campaigns
McKay lost the 2024 Republican primary for Senate to Patricia Morgan
McKay previously ran in 2024 and lost to Morgan in the Republican primary, demonstrating limited appeal within his own party
While Senator Reed has served this state well, it is time for someone with more energy and innovative solutions to fight democratic backsliding
Reed's campaign staff has not explicitly attacked Burbridge but have implied Reed's experience and established record are preferable to a first-time candidate without legislative experience.
Reed is 'missing the moment' and seeks outdated bipartisanship while Reed has voted to confirm 'a handful' of Trump Cabinet nominees
Burbridge's primary challenge argues Reed lacks energy and innovative solutions to fight democratic backsliding. However, voting records show Reed opposed 21 of 22 Trump nominees, contradicting the claim he has been overly accommodating.
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