Smiley Raises 60% of His Campaign Funds Outside Providence, Despite Claim

Smiley Raises 60% of His Campaign Funds Outside Providence, Despite Claim

Brett Smiley, a Democratic candidate for Mayor of Providence, announced his latest fundraising numbers with the claim, “We raised over $300,000 these past few months from 700 neighbors!”

The Smiley claim, however, is false. Zachary Hall of the Smiley campaign emailed out the "neighbors" claim and added, “That’s an amazing achievement! With these resources we have been able to build a diverse team and the most organized campaign.”

According to campaign finance documents filed by the Smiley campaign for the second quarter, his campaign raised more than $300,000.

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But Providence residents only donated $120,000 — just 40% of Smiley’s haul.

 

Outside of RI Interests Donated Tens of Thousands

In the second fundraising quarter, Smiley’s campaign collected $18,760 from those living in Massachusetts.

New York residents donated $9,875. And, so on.

 

In Rhode Island, the Out-of Providence Donors

Residents in Cranston donated $16,400 — more than all but three of the Wards in Providence.

Warwick residents donated $9,625.

Barrington residents donated $9,500. The Barrington donors included three members of the Dimeo Construction family, all donating $500. And the Barrington donors included multiple State House lobbyists, including Frank McMahon ($150) and Bill Fischer ($1,000).

“I think neighbors can mean a lot of things,” said Smiley’s campaign spokesperson Emily Crowell.

 

Overall Fundraising

Overall, Smiley reports $642,371.63 cash on hand. He has liabilities of more than $83,000.

Cuervo, who has a top staffer to then-Providence Mayor and now Congressman David Cicilline, Mayor Angel Taveras and Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea., now has $256,234.25 on hand.

He has liabilities of $50,000.

Nirva LaFortune, Councilor in the Third Ward, has $172,432.78 cash on hand.