Socialist Ousts Providence Mayor in Democratic Primary
Socialist Ousts Providence Mayor in Democratic Primary
The News
State Representative David Morales, a 27-year-old member of the Democratic Socialists of America, is projected to defeat Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in Tuesday's Democratic primary, winning on a promise to cap rent increases in the city.
Morales leads Smiley by about 14 percentage points, according to Decision Desk HQ. The Associated Press and NBC News have both projected the race.
Smiley, 47, a moderate Democrat first elected in 2022, is the first incumbent mayor to lose a primary in Providence's history, according to The Boston Globe. He called Morales to concede on election night, the Morales campaign said.
The Numbers
Morales was outspent roughly 5-to-1: Smiley's campaign spent more than $2 million in 2026, per the Globe. Morales relied on grassroots canvassing, constant social media video and digital advertising instead of traditional TV ads. Smiley had won his first term in 2022 with 42 percent of the vote in a three-way primary.
Timeline
Smiley wins the Democratic primary for mayor with 42 percent in a three-way race and takes office. He had previously served as chief of staff to then-Governor Gina Raimondo and as director of Rhode Island's Department of Administration.
Smiley draws broad praise for his handling of the Brown University mass shooting and the manhunt that followed.
The Providence City Council introduces a rent control ordinance capping annual rent increases at 4 percent, with wide exemptions. The issue dominates city politics for the rest of the year.
Smiley vetoes the rent cap, arguing that its exemptions meant luck rather than income would decide who got a stabilized unit. The council fails to muster the votes to override him, and progressive groups vow to oust the mayor.
Morales is projected to win the primary by about 14 points. More than 100 Smiley supporters watch the result in shock at Narragansett Brewery in Fox Point; Morales supporters chant his name outside Riff Raff, a bookstore-bar in Olneyville.
Reactions
"I'm running for mayor because I believe government can do so much more to make our lives easier," Morales said at last month's NBC 10 WJAR mayoral debate. "We're building a movement to have a Providence for all."
Smiley had attacked Morales during the campaign over his past support for reallocating police funding, saying the challenger was "part of a national movement" and "not interested in actually solving problems for Providence residents."
Morales rejected that framing, accusing Smiley of "clinging on to quotes and tweets from over five years ago" and saying: "As our next mayor, I will not defund the police, a position that I have been very consistent on." He has said he would hire more police officers.
Morales was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, Representative Ro Khanna and former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza — in whose administration Smiley once worked. Smiley had backing from Raimondo, who served as Commerce secretary under former President Joe Biden, and from former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
What's Next
The general election is Nov. 3. Morales faces Republican Dave Talan and is a heavy favorite in deep-blue Providence, per the Globe. The winner takes office in January 2027.
Morales has said he would sign the rent cap legislation Smiley vetoed, and the Globe reports he is planning a dramatic overhaul of City Hall.
More
The result is the latest win this cycle for Democrats aligned with the democratic socialist movement, at the local, state and federal level — including in New York City, Washington, D.C., Colorado, Michigan and Florida, NBC News reports.
Morales would join a growing group of democratic socialist mayors, most prominently New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, The Hill notes. Washington, D.C. Council member Janeese Lewis George is on track to win the mayoralty there this fall, and Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman is running against Mayor Karen Bass.
Smiley had campaigned on the expansion of a universal pre-K program, quality-of-life fixes like potholes, park renovations and sidewalk repairs, and his record of standing up to President Donald Trump on immigration. He was criticized for the city's slow cleanup after a January snowstorm.
Poll
Should cities cap how much landlords can raise rent each year?
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