Elorza Blasts Smiley for “Intentionally Misleading Voters”

Elorza Blasts Smiley for “Intentionally Misleading Voters”

Jorge Elorza’s campaign responded this afternoon to a statement they say mayoral opponent Brett Smiley made to “intentionally mislead voters.”

“Smiley’s been making this statement repeatedly, despite the fact that it has never been true and intentionally misleads voters,” said Elorza’s Campaign Manager, Marisa O’Gara. “Smiley’s so interested in picking a fight that he hasn’t bothered to pay attention to the work other candidates are doing around him.”

The Elorza campaign quoted Smiley saying “none of the other candidates in this race have any details on anything” after he unveiled his education plan earlier today.

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“Jorge Elorza was the first candidate to not only take a comprehensive ethics pledge, but also propose specific plans to strengthen the ethics code upon taking office,” the Elorza campaign said in a statement. “Jorge Elorza has presented a detailed plan to ensure equity in City contracting for women- and minority-owned businesses. Jorge Elorza has developed a comprehensive plan to improve City services and make City Hall more responsive and customer-service oriented. Jorge Elorza has released a plan to improve student transportation. And in the coming weeks, Jorge Elorza will unveil his comprehensive plan for education. “

Smiley Campaign Responds

When reached by GoLocalProv for comment on the allegations, Smiley’s Communications Director Josh Block offered a strong rebuttal.

"Brett noted today that he's the only candidate for mayor to release comprehensive plans, and that's absolutely right. He has addressed the important issues facing Providence with an 8-page public safety plan, a 16-page job creation and economic development plan, a 16-page school success plan, 14 actionable environmental objectives, a detailed proposal to reform the Providence Economic Development Partnership (PEDP), a specific proposal to improve student transportation (that included a statement from the RIPTA Chair), and more. The other candidates have been silent or have raised peripheral issues such as school construction and city operations, but such bullet points and proposals are not substantive, comprehensive plans to address the real issues Providence faces, and we trust that the voters will clearly see that distinction," Block said.