Former Gubernatorial Candidate Ashley Kalus Weighs Future Run, Calls for New Generation of Leadership in Rhode Island

​In a recent "Spotlight" interview with the Rhode Island Wave, 2022 Republican gubernatorial candidate Ashley Kalus opened up about her political future, her unvarnished thoughts on the state's current leadership, and her vision for Rhode Island's policy trajectory.
While Kalus has not officially announced a bid for the 2026 governor’s race, she remains deeply invested in the Ocean State’s future. "Right now I am undecided, but the window is getting narrower," Kalus noted. However, the recent entry of Ken Block into the race as an independent has shifted her perspective. She emphasized that her primary concern is ensuring Rhode Islanders have an ethical, competent executive to navigate the state's impending challenges.
According to Kalus, Rhode Island is on the precipice of a transformational period. With federal COVID-19 relief funds drying up and artificial intelligence poised to reshape the labor force, she warned of an approaching budget crisis. "Transformation’s easy when you're a rich state like Florida," Kalus said. "We have a structural deficit, which means that we have to be a little bit creative in how we solve problems."
Kalus did not hold back in her critique of the state's current political establishment. She sharply criticized Democratic Governor Dan McKee, labeling him "incompetent," and expressed dismay at the public's apparent acceptance of political corruption. She also took aim at potential Democratic contender Helena Foulkes, criticizing her corporate track record at CVS and Hudson Bay.
However, Kalus’s criticism was not strictly partisan. She challenged her own party to self-police, calling out instances where Republicans failed to uphold ethical standards, such as candidates running in districts where they allegedly do not reside. "If you care about the state in a way that's greater than party, which party is just a construct... you should not blindly support people," she asserted.
Despite her tough critiques, Kalus remains optimistic about Rhode Island's potential. She pointed out that because the state is small, its issues—from education to housing—are entirely solvable within one or two gubernatorial terms. On housing, Kalus advocated for building vertically in urban centers like Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and Providence, and reintroducing traditional New England boarding houses where appropriate, rather than forcing density into suburban or rural areas.
A major theme of the interview was the need for generational turnover in politics. As a 43-year-old millennial, Kalus expressed frustration with older politicians clinging to power well into their 70s and 80s. She argued that leaders should live through the long-term consequences of their policy decisions, such as the impact on public schools or long-term tax burdens. "I think it is good to have leadership that is invested in what is going to happen in the future," she said.
Ultimately, Kalus views public office as an act of service rather than a career stepping stone. She even floated the idea of joining a bipartisan think tank to help generate concrete policy solutions for Rhode Island.
"Policy is sort of like a form of magic," Kalus reflected. "It interacts with a town or a city in a way that's invisible, but it changes the entire atmosphere. That really is what we should be focusing on."
Whether she decides to launch another campaign or contribute from the private sector, one thing is clear: Ashley Kalus isn't stepping away from the fight for Rhode Island’s future anytime soon.