Who is David Morales and how did he unseat a sitting Providence mayor?

David Morales, a 27-year-old lawmaker, is positioned to become Providence’s youngest mayor after defeating incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in the Sept. 9 primary. The coverage highlights how renters—especially in Providence’s West Side and Federal Hill neighborhoods—helped drive his early momentum, with Morales winning 61% of the vote share among early voters. His campaign centered on affordability and the high cost of rent, resonating with first-time voters, many of whom turned out in large numbers. Despite running as a Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidate, Morales was not met with active campaigning by left-leaning groups. The article notes the DSA’s endorsement dynamics and Morales’ support for a three-year moratorium on new charter schools.