PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- State Rep. David Morales announced Monday he's running for mayor of Providence in 2026, setting up a challenge against incumbent Brett Smiley.

Morales, 26, is now the first Democrat to enter the race aside from Smiley, who has previously stated he intends to seek reelection.

"Today, Providence is the least affordable city in America for renters and costs are going up for everyone," Morales said. "Together, we can make Providence a city all our neighbors can afford and where everyone feels welcome."

Morales has represented R.I. House District 7, which contains the Mount Pleasant, Valley and Elmhurst neighborhoods in Providence, since 2021 after first being elected in 2020. He unseated then-state Rep. Daniel McKiernan during that year's September primary where m

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