Democratic socialist backed by Bernie Sanders ousts Providence, Rhode Island mayor

Rhode Island State Rep. David Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., defeated Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in the Democratic primary Wednesday night, ousting the incumbent after one term.

If Morales wins the general election, he will be Providence’s youngest mayor in history.

“Few believed that a 27-year-old democratic socialist could ever, few believed that we could ever take on big money, corporate real estate interests and endless attack ads – and we took them on and we won,” Morales said in his victory speech, delivered partly in Spanish, after winning by roughly 8 points (54%-46%).

Smiley, 47, who faced his heaviest media scrutiny over his handling of the Brown University shooting last December, served just one term.

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“So neighbors, with the bold agenda and the mandate that we have voted for, let’s get ready. Providence, let’s get ready.”

Morales will face Republican nominee Dave Talan, 77, in November. Republicans hold no seats on the Providence City Council, and Democrats make up a majority of registered voters in the city. Former Vice President Kamala Harris beat President Donald Trump in the city by 51 points in 2024.

“The voters of Providence made their choice, and they chose David Morales as our next mayor in the Democratic primary,” Smiley said in his concession speech after calling Morales. “While I’m not happy with that outcome, I’m so happy and proud of the campaign that we ran.”

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Morales, who also received backing from Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and several labor unions, campaigned on a progressive platform that included capping rent hikes, expanding affordable housing and raising taxes on polluters and corporate landlords.

“Nearly a year ago today, we launched a campaign centered around a simple vision that the working people who make Providence home deserve to live here,” Morales said. “A simple vision that our neighbors deserve a mayor who will fight for them.”

The contest was part of a broader series of Democratic primary battles between progressive challengers and more established incumbents. Morales sought to tap into frustration over housing costs and the direction of city government, while Smiley argued that his experience and record made him the better choice to lead Providence.

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“The same way that we campaigned, we are going to govern — in coalition, side by side with our neighbors,” Morales said.

The primary also featured a battle over rent stabilization. The Providence City Council approved a measure that would have capped annual rent increases at 4% for certain apartments, but Smiley vetoed it in April. The council fell one vote short of overriding the veto in May.

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“When working people are getting priced out of the city that they love, then we must cap rent increases at 4% every single year,” Morales said.

“We put housing justice on the ballot.”

Morales also ran as a hard-liner on Providence being a sanctuary for illegal migrants, and against the Trump administration’s effort to enforce U.S. immigration law.

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“The city of Providence must use every tool that we have at our disposal to defend our immigrant community and protect us from the fascist ICE agents,” Morales, the son of a Mexican immigrant mother, said.