2026-09-14 · socialism
A landslide victory and a potential new chapter for Rhode Island's capital city
State Rep. David Morales, a 27-year-old member of the Democratic Socialists of America endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna, defeated incumbent Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in Wednesday's Democratic primary, 57% to 43%, with 31% turnout. Smiley's campaign spent $652,537 from August 12 through September 1, about 7.6 times the $85,789 Morales's campaign spent. Morales faces Republican Dave Talan in the November 3 general election; three Working Families Party-backed council candidates also won their primaries.
The Providence City Council's 4% rent-cap ordinance, vetoed by Smiley in April, fell one vote short of a veto override in May.