Incumbent Democratic governor Lincoln Chafee was eligible to run for re-election to a second term, but decided to retire.

State Representative Frank Ferri, Cumberland Mayor Daniel McKee and Secretary of State of Rhode Island A. Ralph Mollis ran for the Democratic nomination, which McKee won with a plurality.

Incumbent Democratic secretary of state A. Ralph Mollis was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third term in office.

Former state representative and former chairman of the Rhode Island Democratic Party Edwin R. Pacheco had declared his candidacy in April 2013,[12] but he withdrew from the race in October 2013[13] and endorsed de Ramel.

[16] John Carlevale, a retired social worker and perennial candidate for public office was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Instead, the party rallied around Independent candidate Ernie Almonte, a former Democrat who served as State Auditor General from 1994 to 2010.

Incumbent Democratic senator Jack Reed ran successfully for re-election to a fourth term in office.