Providence Mayor’s Race: Money v. Grassroots — Morales Poised to Announce Another Big Endorsement

Providence Mayor’s Race: Money v. Grassroots — Morales Poised to Announce Another Big Endorsement

 

If you live in Providence and are a likely Democratic primary voter, you have been bombarded by direct mail from Mayor Brett Smiley. Some houses have received more than ten. There are still two and a half months until primary day.

 

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While Smiley is blitzing with paid mailers, the underfunded challenger, David Morales, is scoring endorsement after endorsement.

 

On Monday, Morales is scheduled to announce a major labor endorsement — SEIU RI State Council. This is Morales’ second major union endorsement. He previously received the endorsement of the Providence Teachers’ Union.

 

The difference between the teachers' endorsement and SEIU is that most teachers don’t live in the city and SEIU members do.

 

In addition, Morales has announced endorsements from national Democrats, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Ro Khanna, as well as a plethora of local endorsements, ranging from outgoing Providence City Council President Rachel Miller to former State Representative Linda Kushner. He has also piled on The Latino Victory Fund, among others. 

 

Money, Money, Money

While Morales is leading in the endorsement game, Smiley is dominating in fundraising.

 

Smiley, according to the last campaign finance report, had $1,354,722.21 cash on hand.

 

In comparison, Morales recorded a balance of $118,870.81.

 

While the race between Morales and Smiley is considered competitive, there has never been such a disparity in financial resources between the two rivals in modern Providence mayoral politics.

 

The questions beg: how big is the money factor, how important is incumbency, or is this a year of change in Providence?