Is the Mamdani Win Over Cuomo a Potential Preview of Morales v. Smiley

Is the Mamdani Win Over Cuomo a Potential Preview of Morales v. Smiley

Once a little-known state representative and now the mayor of America’s most populous and important city — Zohran Mamdani swept to victory over Andrew Cuomo — winning 50.4% to 41.6% in New York on Tuesday. 

Mamdani appeared to be an unlikely political force, but his victory raises the question of a new political movement in Democratic cities.

He went to an elite liberal New England college - Bowdoin in Maine - and has been widely criticized for having a paper-thin resume and no executive experience.

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In Providence, Rhode Island, State Representative David Morales, a Brown grad, who, like Mamdani, has little work experience, has announced he is running for mayor of Providence.

And, those are just the beginning of the similarities.

From public policy proposals to allegiance to the Democratic Socialist movement to quirky side-hustles, Mamdani and Morales have a significant number of commonalities. 

Mamdani was a rapper, and Morales is a part-time "professional" wrestler.

And, there are some parallels between their opponents, both having faced political controversies. Cuomo was forced from the governorship due to sexual harassment claims; Smiley was fined by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, and in a separate matter, owned a political consulting business while serving as a top staffer for then-Governor Gina Raimondo. 

GoLocal reported in 2017:

Over the past five years, Rhode Island state and local candidates have paid a web of Smiley-owned companies just under $300,000. Federal candidates both in Rhode Island and around the country have paid Smiley’s firms hundreds of thousands in additional payments. 

“Smiley's continued ownership of the firm raises the questions that have yet to be answered. In the past we've told GoLocal that Common Cause believes Smiley should seek an advisory opinion from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission with respect to his continued ownership of the consulting firm,” said John Marion, head of Rhode Island Common Cause at the time.

 

Rent Control — Housing Affordability

One of the reasons Mamdani’s campaign became a movement is the unaffordability of real estate — for renters and buyers. This is a critical issue in Providence, and an issue that Morales is already calling for rent control.

Smiley is closely tied to major developers, and it is the lifeblood of his fundraising. He is on the record opposing rent control.

 

Campaigns Talk About the Comparison

Smiley’s campaign tried to downplay the analogy. “The dynamics of Zohran Mamdani’s campaign against a disgraced former governor for an open mayoral seat in NYC is an apples-to-oranges comparison with next year’s race in Providence, where a popular incumbent mayor who has delivered on his campaign promises to make Providence safer, stronger, and more livable will be seeking reelection,” said Josh Block, political consultant

Block made the comment about Smiley’s crime strategy on the same day GoLocal reported that an 11-year-old was robbed at knifepoint by a man who stole fifty cents from the child, following a weekend that saw a melee involving 1,000 people, assaults, and hospitalizations - and no arrests.

Morales’ campaign also hit on the affordability issue.

“Zohran Mamdani has built a movement around the idea that government should work for working people and be a force for good. Providence is our own city, but we have one key similarity with New York: the working families who make our city run cannot afford a dignified life under the status quo,” said Henry Perretta, campaign manager for Morales.

“We have already seen hundreds of our neighbors, many who have never participated in an election before, support our movement by donating and coming out to volunteer with us. We look forward to sharing our vision of an affordable city and a Providence for All with all of our neighbors over the course of this campaign,” said Perretta.

 

Second Ward Results

Tuesday night, Dave Caldwell, who ran as the pro-Smiley candidate in the Democratic primary, won just 29% of the vote in a four-way race.

The most progressive candidate, Jill Davidson, who refused to endorse Smiley, won with 49% of the vote.