Prov. Mayoral Candidate Morales Gets Solid Crowd at Event in Smiley’s Backyard

Prov. Mayoral Candidate Morales Gets Solid Crowd at Event in Smiley’s Backyard

 

Rhode Island State Representative David Morales appeared at a campaign event Wednesday night just down the street from Mayor Brett Smiley’s East Side mansion and turned out a solid crowd. Morales has announced he is a candidate for Mayor. Smiley and Morales are on schedule to meet in the Democratic primary in September of 2026.

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The event held at the neighborhood bookstore, Books on the Square, was nearly overflowing with nearly all the seats filled and another 15 or so standing in the small retailer.

 

Morales, who spoke and answered questions on issues ranging from education to RIPTA to how the colleges and universities could contribute more both fiscally and as neighbors.

 

Smiley signed an agreement with Brown University that stands out, and not in a positive way. Yale pays New Haven over $23 million annually, and Brown, in its payment in lieu of taxes agreement, pays a fraction of that amount.

 

The Smiley deal, signed in 2023, allows Brown to pay just $8.7 million a year.

 

The Morales event, dubbed a town hall, featured drinks and cookies and was a contrast in tone to Smiley.

 

While Smiley tends to lecture like a McKinsey consultant telling Providence residents what they should know, Morales, during his presentation Wednesday night, offered a more collaborative approach.

 

The Democratic primary is less than ten months away, and Morales appears to be taking his message to every neighborhood, including Smiley’s backyard.