Senator Jack Reed Wins Democratic Primary in Rhode Island

<p>Rhode Island Democratic Senator Jack Reed won the primary election on September 9, 2026, defeating two progressive challengers, Connor Burbridge and Luis Muñoz, as he seeks a sixth term in the U.S. Senate. Reed has held the party's nomination for three decades.</p><p>Burbridge is described as a small business owner and community organizer, while Muñoz is a medical school graduate and former gubernatorial candidate. Reed's victory positions him for the general election against Republican Ray McKay, who ran unopposed in his primary, and independent Michael Bahry.</p><p>Reed, whose father was a World War II veteran and janitor, cites his working-class background as influential in his life. He attended West Point and served in the Army before obtaining a master's degree in public policy and a law degree from Harvard.</p><p>The primary highlighted a divide within the Democratic Party, contrasting Reed's moderate stance with the progressive platforms of his challengers, which included calls to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to end aid to Israel.</p><p>Reed, who is the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, has supported military assistance to Israel while also advocating for a two-state solution. He was first elected to the Senate in 1996 after serving three terms in the House of Representatives.</p><p>His campaign reported approximately $3.4 million in total receipts for the 2025-2026 election cycle through August 20, with nearly $3.1 million in cash on hand, according to Federal Election Commission records. In contrast, Burbridge raised just over $25,000, and Muñoz's campaign reported no fundraising totals ahead of the primary.</p>