PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island state Rep. David Morales, 27, a Bernie Sanders-endorsed democratic socialist, defeated incumbent Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in Wednesday’s Democratic primary for mayor — the first time a sitting Providence mayor has lost a primary, according to WPRI. NBC News, Decision Desk HQ, and WPRI projected Morales the winner on election night; The Hill cited Decision Desk HQ showing Morales ahead by roughly 14 points as the race was called.

Morales is the heavy favorite in the Nov. 3 general election against Republican Dave Talan in the solidly Democratic capital. If elected, he would be the youngest mayor in Providence history. The result is distinct from the same-night Rhode Island governor primary in which Helena Foulkes defeated Gov. Dan McKee — a separate statewide race already covered elsewhere.

Housing drove the contest. Morales campaigned on capping annual rent hikes at 4%, expanding affordable housing, and raising taxes on corporate landlords and polluters. Smiley had vetoed a City Council rent-stabilization ordinance; Morales vowed to revive rent-cap rules early in a new administration. Price caps are a blunt city bet — they can freeze bills for current tenants while also deterring new supply — and Providence voters just chose the control side of that trade.

“I’m running for mayor because I believe government can do so much more to make our lives easier,” Morales said during an NBC 10 WJAR mayoral debate last month. “We’re building a movement to have a Providence for all.”

At his Olneyville watch party, Ocean State Media reported, Morales told supporters: “Providence, let’s get ready. Over the next four years we are going to build a ‘Providence for All.’”

Endorsements, police tweets, and Smiley’s record

Morales drew national progressive muscle: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. Smiley — who previously served as Gov. Gina Raimondo’s chief of staff and as state administration director — was backed by Gina Raimondo and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Smiley pointed to universal pre-K expansion and his record standing up to President Donald Trump on immigration. He attacked Morales as “part of a national movement” and highlighted older tweets about reallocating police funding. Morales rejected the “defund” frame:

Smiley is “clinging on to quotes and tweets from over five years ago,” Morales said, adding that “as our next mayor, I will not defund the police, a position that I have been very consistent on.”

In his concession at Narragansett Brewery, Smiley called the mayoralty “the honor of my lifetime,” credited new housing and school construction, and urged focus on Providence public schools after the return of local control, Ocean State Media reported.

Morales, a Democratic Socialists of America member and the General Assembly’s youngest legislator, came to Providence for a Brown University master’s in public affairs and won House District 7 in 2020. The general election is Nov. 3 against Talan.

Sources