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.AMERICA’S QUIET SOCIALIST TAKEOVER IS SPREADING FROM TOWN HALLS TO CLASSROOMSState Rep.David Morales, 27, hails the democratic socialist platform and movement for a stunning victory over a Providence mayoral incumbent in the Democratic primary Wednesday night.
(David DelPoio/The Providence Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)"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."STATE OF PLAY: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT POTENTIAL SOCIALIST SHOWDOWN BETWEEN TRUMP AND DC MAYOR AS VOTES POUR INPosing in Providence, R.I., on April 12, 2021, State Rep.David Morales, a Providence Democra...