David Morales defeats Brett Smiley to become the new Mayor of Providence
David Morales won the mayoral election in Providence, defeating incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley. Morales, a 27-year-old State Representative, campaigned on the message that housing in the city is too expensive.
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He utilized social media to reach over 21,000 followers, contrasting with Smiley's traditional television commercials and mailers. Smiley was closely tied to the city's development community, while Morales focused on the concerns of renters who pay high monthly costs for one-bedroom apartments. Morales was noted for being present in the city during the campaign, while Smiley often spent weekends in his New York City condo or a vacation home in Tiverton. During his four-year term, Smiley implemented two tax increases and managed snow removal. Morales won the election with a total of 27,000 votes, which was an increase from the 22,000 votes cast in the 2022 race. Morales's victory was attributed to his focus on housing affordability and his visible presence in the city.