Jasjit
S. Gotra
Entrepreneur and first-time candidate Jasjit 'Jay' Gotra is running for Rhode Island governor in 2026 as an Independent.
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- positions
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Background
Jasjit S. "Jay" Gotra is an entrepreneur and first-time candidate running for Governor of Rhode Island in the November 3, 2026 general election. 13 Born in Mumbai, India, he immigrated to the United States at age 15, initially settling in Agawam, Massachusetts, before becoming a Rhode Island resident; he is based in East Greenwich. 112
Gotra founded Alliance Security, a home-security company, and later established Smart Green Solar in 2021, which ceased operations in late 2024. 112 He attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's engineering program, leaving in 2003 without a reported degree. 1611 Rhode Island's attorney general filed a suit related to Smart Green Solar; Gotra has denied wrongdoing, and the matter was ongoing as of May 2026. 13
Gotra launched his gubernatorial campaign in May 2026, initially filing as a Democrat before appearing on the general-election ballot as an Independent. 148 Press materials describe him as the first Indian-American Democrat to run for governor of Rhode Island. 14 He is a non-incumbent challenging in a race whose major-party general election matchup features Republican candidate Block and Democratic nominee Foulkes. 910
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- Governor, Rhode Island
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Candidate for Governor of Rhode Island
- Website
- governorgotra.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7filingCampaign finance report shows Gotra raised over $2,800, with only $1,531 cash on hand
The latest campaign-finance filings showed Gotra raised more than $2,800, spent $2,400, and held just over $1,531 in cash on hand — a significantly smaller war chest than those of the leading campaigns.
Foulkes leads fundraising, but Block holds cash advantage in Rhode Island governor’s race · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsGotra appears in WPRI 'Meet the Candidates' interview
Gotra participated in a WPRI 'Meet the Candidates' interview covering his political ideology, the biggest issue facing voters, and why he is running. The station's page did not summarize his answers in detail.
Meet the candidates: Jay Gotra for RI governor · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsGotra outlines energy-independence platform, aims to make RI energy-independent by 2040 via solar expansion
In coverage of candidates' energy proposals, Gotra directed voters to his campaign website. His stated goal is making Rhode Island energy-independent by 2040, framing it as a business plan rather than a political fight, with expanded solar to help lower residents' costs. These are campaign positions, not independently assessed projections.
Block announces energy plan, Foulkes and Guckian hone ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsACLU of Rhode Island publishes civil-liberties questionnaire responses including Gotra's
The ACLU of Rhode Island announced it had received and published responses from Gotra, Ken Block, and Helena Foulkes to its candidate civil-liberties questionnaire.
RI Midterm Candidate Questions: Civil Liberties Edition · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 24pollUNH poll shows Gotra at 1% among likely RI voters
A University of New Hampshire survey conducted August 20–24 among 750 likely voters showed Gotra registering 1% support. This is a single survey result, not a polling average.
Jasjit Gotra Polls: Polling Average & Latest Surveys · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 17filingRhode Island ballot lottery held; Gotra confirmed among five candidates on Nov. 3 gubernatorial ballot
A candidate guide reports that Rhode Island's ballot lottery took place on July 17 and lists Gotra among the five candidates on the November 3 general election ballot as an independent.
Rhode Island governor's race — 2026 candidates | Ballot Explained · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Foulkes leads fundraising, but Block holds cash advantage in Rhode Island governor’s race(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [2] Rhode Island governor's race — 2026 candidates | Ballot Explained(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Meet the candidates: Jay Gotra for RI governor(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Jasjit Gotra Polls: Polling Average & Latest Surveys(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Block announces energy plan, Foulkes and Guckian hone ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] Jay Gotra for Governor of Rhode Island 2026(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] RI Midterm Candidate Questions: Civil Liberties Edition(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [8] RI Midterm Primary Candidate Questions: Civil Liberties Edition(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026