David Morales (D) defeated incumbent Brett Smiley (D) in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on Sept. 9.
Providence's Democratic mayoral primary featured a moderate Democrat, Smiley, and a democratic socialist, Morales. Smiley, a first-term mayor, said his administration reduced violent crime, removed ATVs and dirt bikes from the streets, added new schools and homes throughout the city, and filed lawsuits against the Trump administration. Morales, a state representative, said Smiley's administration had accomplished too little, citing what he described as rising housing costs, overworked teachers, ignored transit riders, an unstable public works department, and an immigrant community fearful of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Heading into the election, two issues highlighted the candidates' philosophical differences: affordable housing and the use of Flock surveillance cameras. On affordable housing, Morales said he would work toward a rent stabilization ordinance that Smiley vetoed in April 2026. The city council passed the ordinance by a 9-6 vote, which would have capped annual rent increases at 4% for certain apartments. Smiley instead proposed working with private developers to build more housing. Regarding Flock cameras, which automatically take pictures of license plates, Smiley acknowledged concerns over privacy and data sharing but said the cameras help with public safety and should remain in place. Morales said Flock was "a for profit business that cannot be trusted," and that he would work to remove the cameras.
