David Morales beats Providence mayor Brett Smiley in primary

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — David Morales pulled off a major upset in Providence, defeating incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in the Democratic primary and securing the party’s nomination for mayor.

Morales, a 27-year-old Rhode Island state representative, ran a campaign focused heavily on housing affordability, rent costs and changes he said were needed at City Hall.

Smiley entered the race seeking a second term and pointed to his administration’s record on housing development, public safety and the city’s return to local control of its public schools.

Housing Became a Major Issue

Housing was one of the clearest differences between the two candidates.

Morales made the rising cost of rent and housing a centerpiece of his campaign. He supported stronger tenant protections and rent stabilization, arguing that Providence residents were struggling with the cost of living.

Smiley took a different approach, emphasizing new housing construction and development. He opposed a proposed cap on rent increases, arguing that policies restricting rents could affect the city’s ability to attract new housing.

The issue gave voters a significant policy contrast between the incumbent and his challenger.

Morales Built a Grassroots Campaign

Morales also ran a campaign that relied heavily on grassroots organizing and digital outreach.

Despite being significantly outspent by Smiley, Morales built support among progressive voters and attracted endorsements from prominent progressive figures, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

His campaign presented the race as an opportunity for Providence to take a different direction.

Smiley Campaigned on His Record

Smiley focused much of his campaign on his first-term record.

He pointed to increased housing construction, improvements in public safety and the return of Providence schools to local control as accomplishments he wanted voters to consider.

The mayor also criticized Morales over his previous positions on policing.

Morales had previously supported the national “defund the police” movement but later moved away from that position during the mayoral campaign and said he would support additional police officers.

Morales Defeated the Incumbent

When the votes were counted, Morales defeated Smiley by a significant margin, winning approximately 57% of the vote to Smiley’s 43%.

The result marked a major moment in Providence politics because Morales became the first challenger to defeat a sitting Providence mayor in a Democratic primary.

Smiley conceded after the results became clear.

What Comes Next?

Morales now advances to the November general election, where he will face Republican candidate Dave Talan.

The primary victory puts Morales one election away from potentially becoming Providence’s next mayor.

For Smiley, the result ends his campaign for a second term.

For Morales, the victory represents a rapid rise in Rhode Island politics — from state representative to the Democratic nominee for mayor of the state’s capital city.

The November election will determine who leads Providence for the next term.