Democratic socialist David Morales secured the Democratic primary nomination for mayor in Providence, Rhode Island, on Wednesday night. He unseated the current mayor, Brett Smiley.
Morales, a Rhode Island state representative, was endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). He is now considered the favourite to win the mayoralty in the November general election against Republican nominee David Talan.
Morales, aged 27, would become Providence's youngest mayor if he wins the general election. He campaigned on a progressive platform that included capping annual rent increases, building more affordable housing, and raising taxes on corporate polluters and landlords.
Rent stabilization was a significant issue in the primary, following Mayor Smiley's veto of a rent-stabilization ordinance in April. Morales stated, "When working people are getting priced out of the city that they love, then we must cap rent increases at 4% every single year."