Providence mayor race poll shows Morales ahead by 10 points

A new poll commissioned by an education group led by former Providence mayor Jorge Elorza shows challenger David Morales leading incumbent Brett Smiley by 10 points in the Democratic mayoral primary. The survey by Concord Public Opinion Partners, conducted Aug. 19 and 20 among 310 likely Democratic primary voters, found 48% for Morales versus 38% for Smiley, with 13% undecided and a margin of error of 5.56%. A similar Concord poll in mid-July had Smiley up 4 points. The poll also shows favorable ratings: 58% view Morales positively and 49% view Smiley positively. Smiley’s campaign has polled the race but hasn’t publicly released results, calling the new numbers skeptical given Elorza’s endorsement.