Elaine Morgan is one of the most extreme Republicans in Rhode Island’s legislature, and one of the most vulnerable. First elected in 2014 after narrowly flipping a Democratic seat, Morgan has made a name for herself by backing anti-trans legislation, attacking abortion rights, and making bigoted public statements that have drawn national condemnation. In 2024, she won re-election by just 7.1%, her narrowest margin in years. Her district, once a Republican hold, is shifting fast. And Morgan is being left behind.
From her vote to block abortion protections, to bills banning trans girls from sports, to an infamous email that equated Islam with terrorism, Morgan has built a career on culture war extremism. But South County is changing: more young families, more independent voters, and a growing coalition rejecting hate politics.
Elaine Morgan is out of step with her district. She’s alienated voters across the spectrum. And in 2026, she can be defeated.
She’s exposed. She’s extreme. She’s beatable.
Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Family Record
Co-sponsored 2022 bill to ban trans girls from school sports (SB 2501).
Pushed 2025 bill to ban gender-affirming care for minors.
Backed “parental rights” measures to censor inclusive school materials.
Never supported any LGBTQ+ protections in the legislature.
Repeatedly echoed far-right talking points targeting LGBTQ+ youth.
Condemned by GLAD and advocates for legislation that could exclude trans students and endanger youth.
A Dangerous Anti-Abortion Agenda
Voted against the 2019 Reproductive Privacy Act codifying Roe v. Wade in Rhode Island law.
As Senate Minority Whip, tried to block the bill from reaching the floor.
Labeled abortion protections “abortion on demand” and dismissed reproductive rights concerns.
Maintains a 100% anti-abortion voting record, opposing rape/incest exceptions.
In 2023, voted against protections shielding abortion and trans healthcare providers from out-of-state prosecutions.
Consistently aligned with far-right anti-abortion groups, out of step with Rhode Island voters.
Culture War Over Constituents
Focuses on culture wars instead of jobs, education, or affordability.
Pushed bills to ban drag shows, censor school curricula, and strip LGBTQ+ family rights.
2015 email equated Islam with terrorism: “The Muslim religion and philosophy is to murder, rape, and decapitate anyone who is a non Muslim.”
Refused to apologize after national backlash and calls for resignation.
Extremist rhetoric continues to overshadow her ability to govern.
Key Vulnerabilities
Vote share dropped from 54.8% (2022) to 53.5% (2024) — shrinking margins.
Democratic challengers gaining ground; base is expanding.
District trending younger, more diverse, and more independent.
Gov. Dan McKee and Democrats overperformed in the district in 2023.
Morgan’s support is aging, shrinking, and increasingly out of step with local voters.
Elaine Morgan has spent a decade voting against Rhode Islanders’ rights. She’s pushed anti-LGBTQ+ bills. She’s tried to block abortion access. She’s made bigoted remarks about entire communities. And she’s done it all while losing ground at the ballot box.
She has:
A shrinking margin in a fast-changing district
A long, public record of anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-choice extremism
A history of offensive rhetoric that still haunts her
No record of delivering on local priorities
