PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley and state Rep. David Morales faced off in their first debate this week, clashing over issues from rent control to pensions.
The roughly one-hour debate was hosted by The Boston Globe Rhode Island as an episode of its “Rhode Island Report” podcast and moderated by reporter Steph Machado.
The two candidates are scheduled to square off in a televised debate on WPRI 12 on July 17. The winner of the Sept. 9 Democratic primary will face independent Allen Waters in November…