Pro-Palestine socialist David Morales defeated Providence’s incumbent mayor after a campaign dominated by housing, Gaza and a growing divestment drive.
Key Takeaways
- David Morales, a 27-year-old democratic socialist and state representative, defeated incumbent Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in Wednesday’s Democratic primary.
- Morales challenged Smiley over his support for Israel while backing a November ballot initiative seeking to restrict city investments linked to serious human rights violations.
- Housing remained the central local issue, with Morales supporting a 4% rent stabilization measure vetoed by Smiley and campaigning on Providence’s affordability crisis.
Morales Ousts Incumbent Mayor
Pro-Palestine democratic socialist David Morales defeated incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in Providence, Rhode Island’s Democratic primary on Wednesday, scoring a significant victory for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
Morales, 27, is a Rhode Island state representative and member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He was first elected to the state legislature in 2020.
His victory was part of a broader night of political upheaval in Rhode Island, where incumbent Democratic Governor Dan McKee also lost his primary.
Morales entered the mayoral race with support from Senator Bernie Sanders, progressive organizations and labor groups. He will face Republican Dave Talan in the November 3 general election.
Providence has not elected a Republican mayor in nearly half a century, leaving Morales strongly positioned to win the general election. A victory would make him the youngest mayor in the Rhode Island capital’s history.
Housing affordability was at the heart of the campaign. Morales backed a City Council ordinance that would have capped most annual rent increases at 4%, while Smiley vetoed the measure. Morales argued that immediate rent stabilization was necessary alongside construction of additional permanently affordable housing.
But alongside those local issues, Palestine emerged as an unusually prominent dividing line in the race.
Palestine Emerges as Political Fault Line
Morales repeatedly challenged Smiley over his support for Israel and his response to Palestine solidarity activism in Providence.
Although acknowledging that municipal governments do not determine US foreign policy, Morales argued during the campaign that Palestine directly intersects with decisions made at City Hall, particularly regarding the treatment of protesters and the investment of public funds.
He pledged that a Morales administration would protect residents’ right to peacefully express solidarity with Palestine without fear of retaliation by municipal authorities.
Smiley, meanwhile, has traveled to Israel twice. His latest trip, in May 2025, was organized by the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island and was partly financed by the organization, with Smiley paying part of the cost himself.
The mayor’s office said the visit was intended in part to strengthen relations between Rhode Island and Israel.
Smiley has also maintained ties with the Combat Antisemitism Movement and chairs its Mayors Advisory Board. He attended the organization’s North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in December 2025.
Morales criticized those ties during the campaign and accused outside organizations of seeking to suppress political speech and Palestine solidarity activism.
“To me that is unacceptable,” Morales said. “The mayor should be more concerned with fighting the affordability crisis in Providence than defending a genocide.”
David Morales is 27 years old.
The youngest Latino ever elected to the Rhode Island legislature.
Tonight he beat an incumbent mayor in Providence — after that mayor vetoed rent stabilization for working families.
Bernie endorsed him. The people chose him.
Nobody can stop this… pic.twitter.com/qrP4BAwd0G
— Ezequiel Aguilar (@EzequielAguilar) September 10, 2026
Divestment Fight Heads to November Ballot
The political divide over Palestine will continue beyond the Democratic primary.
Providence voters are due to consider Question 7 in November, a ballot initiative that would restrict city investments connected to foreign countries engaged in severe human rights violations, including apartheid, ethnic cleansing, illegal military occupation or genocide.
Although the measure does not explicitly identify Israel, it was advanced by the Providence for Palestine coalition and has become a central element of the city’s Palestine solidarity campaign.
Une grande victoire ce soir à Providence ! David Morales a détrôné le maire Brett Smiley (un donateur de l’AIPAC), qui a passé son mandat à réprimer les manifestations étudiantes et à promouvoir la définition de l’antisémitisme de l’IHRA afin de faire taire les critiques à… pic.twitter.com/vOBsW9DAgJ
— vaudais toujours 🍉 🍉 (@TFilastin) September 10, 2026
Morales supports the proposal, arguing that Providence should ensure public funds are not invested in companies implicated in violations of international humanitarian law.
Smiley opposed the initiative, arguing that it could conflict with Rhode Island law, was legally unenforceable and could negatively affect the city’s finances.
Organizers estimate that approximately $2.5 million in Providence investments could ultimately be affected, including holdings involving companies such as Caterpillar and Axon Enterprise.
The referendum could also carry national significance. If implemented, it would move beyond a symbolic ceasefire resolution by requiring concrete action involving municipal investments.
(PC, NBC News, Al Mayadeen)
More power to him!
Anyone would be better than the councilman who recently insulted a man in his military uniform, protesting the $?Million bond to Israel. He said the man was embarrassing his uniform. That council member, as well as any who had people removed for clapping or speaking should be removed immediately. They should move to Occupied Palestine: they’ll fit right in with all the Israeli
” Jewish ” Nazis there.