Providence voters reject incumbent Smiley, elect DSA-backed David Morales in primary
State Rep. David Morales defeated incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in the Providence Democratic primary on Wednesday, marking another victory for the Democratic Socialists of America. The 27-year-old challenger focused on housing affordability, proposing rent caps, while Smiley relied on traditional media and developer support. Morales’s grassroots strategy, including door-knocking and social media, outperformed Smiley’s heavy spending, leading to a significant surge in voter turnout.