LATEST PRESS
08.19.2022
The three Democratic candidates running to become the next mayor of Providence debated the city’s hottest topics face to face Friday during a special edition of “10 News Conference.”
08.16.2022
With four weeks until the Democratic primary, Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley is out with the first television commercial in that race.
The 30-second spot, which will begin airing today, highlights Smiley’s work as chief of staff to former governor Gina Raimondo and…
05.31.2022
Less than two weeks after dropping out of the race for Providence mayor, Michael Solomon endorsed fellow Democrat Brett Smiley for the job.
“Our goals align perfectly when we talk about education, and we talk about fighting crime,” Solomon said, explaining why he picked Smiley.
05.03.2022
Candidate for mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley, issued the following note:
“Looking back on my public service, there was no more significant moment than watching my boss, Governor Gina Raimondo, codify Roe into state law. I was proud to have worked closely on that bill and proud to have served on the Planned Parenthood board for many years. In the months ahead, we all need to support Democrats at the local, state and federal levels and call on Congress to codify Roe into federal law.”
04.20.2022
“Smiley said he feels “well prepared” to be mayor, drawing on his experience managing the city’s operations. “Honestly, I feel like the best-prepared and best-experienced candidate in this race,” he added.”
04.12.2022
“Smiley was chief operating officer in Providence under Elorza, as well as chief of staff and director of administration for former Gov. Gina Raimondo. According to his website, Smiley aims to improve quality of life in Providence through supporting schools, small businesses and public safety.”
04.12.2022
On Tuesday, the four candidates for Mayor of Providence — Gonzalo Cuervo, Nirva LaFortune, Mike Solomon, and Brett Smiley — gathered at the Cambridge Innovation Center for a forum presented by The Jewelry District Association and moderated by Globe Rhode Island’s Dan McGowan. You can watch the debate in the player below:
03.29.2022
Now, after stints running the city for Elorza (as COO) and the state for former governor Gina Raimondo (as chief of staff and director of administration), Smiley is officially one of the most important guys to know in all of Rhode Island politics. And that means that instead of running as a long shot to be mayor, he’s a top-tier candidate for the job.
03.28.2022
“I am running for Mayor because I love Providence. Like more and more people, I chose Providence. I have lived and worked elsewhere and know that what we have here is special. We have all the ingredients to be a world-class city – vibrant, diverse neighborhoods, some of the best food, arts and culture in the country, top universities, and thousands of small businesses…
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Providence mayoral candidates tackle questions from addiction recovery community
08.05.2022
The Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts (RICARES) held a Mayoral forum on Tuesday evening at the Jim Gillen Teen Center on North Main Street to discuss recovery and addiction issues. Impacted community members and advocates shared their experiences and asked candidates for mayor of Providence how they will address the topics of harm reduction, policing, and housing. The event was cohosted by Anchor Recovery, Amos House, Project Weber/Renew, PONI (Preventing Overdose & Naloxone Intervention), Recovery Friendly Workplaces RI, and The Recovery Advocacy Project and moderated by Channel 10 reporter Alison Bologna.
Classical High School in Providence is a gem. But let’s not ignore its greatest failing.
04.27.2022
Of the 1,091 students enrolled at Classical this school year, a measly 13 of them are multi-language learners, a designation that typically means they are learning English as a second language. That’s about 1.2 percent of the school.
Brett Smiley called the low number of English learners at Classical an “absolute reflection on how we are failing our MLL students.” He said more teachers need to become certified to teach those students.
Providence mayoral hopefuls, council members weigh in on Superman Building rescue
04.13.2022
“So we need to get this project done,” Smiley said. “We need to return this building to productive use. We’re not giving up any tax revenue we’re already getting. The only thing we’re giving up is future revenue that wouldn’t have happened but for this proposal.”
3 Providence Mayoral Candidates Favor Taxing Brown and Other Colleges — One Doesn’t
04.09.2022
Smiley said, "The colleges, universities and hospitals absolutely need to contribute more to the City of Providence. They utilize city services and their growth continues to shift the tax burden onto the residents of Providence."
"I think the most productive path to increased contributions is at the negotiation table. I look forward to negotiating fair agreements that realize those increases as mayor," he added.
"If negotiations don't result in a substantial increase, legislation like this becomes even more critical," he added.
Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley does pothole patrol with ABC 6
04.06.2022
Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley, who launched his campaign last week, is focusing on “quality of life” issues in the capital city.
ABC 6 News caught up with Brett about how he plans to focus on cleaning up the roads in Providence. He said that the condition of the roads in the city are not due to a lack of funding, but a lack of planning and proper leadership.
VIDEO: Smiley Defends Funding One Police Class in 1 1/2 Years While Working for Elorza
04.05.2022
“When I served in City Hall in 2015 and 2016, we fully funded the 68th academy of the police department — recruitment started that year that I left and they graduated the following year. The funding was included in both budgets I had an active participation in,” said Smiley on Monday. “It took years for the city to do a new academy. Last year at this time, I held a press conference calling for a new academy and the one immediately following — that response along with the voices of the community was finally heard. I’m committed to consistent recruitment and consistent funding.”
Providence mayoral candidates talk police funding, pensions and schools during forum
03.23.2022
Brett Smiley, who worked as a top aide to former Gov. Gina Raimondo, also called for 450 officers, citing Clements' past statement that 450 is a good target. Smiley also supports creating more youth opportunities, and engaging mental health and addiction counselors.
'It's a gamble': Providence mayoral contenders weigh Elorza's plan to fix pension crisis
02.03.2022
Brett Smiley, an adviser to former Mayors David Cicilline and Angel Taveras and then chief of staff and director of administration for former Gov. Gina Raimondo, appears to oppose the “wait and see” approach, comparing the crisis to climate change. … Smiley encouraged the city to continue negotiating retirement contracts and benefits structures, and urged leaders to consider allowing Providence to join the state pension system “to save on contractual costs, advisory fees, lawyers, bankers, etcetera.”
Cuervo and Smiley Are Piling Up Endorsements for Mayor
12.15.2021
Meanwhile, Brett Smiley, the former top aide to former Governor Gina Raimondo and Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza, is leading the Providence Mayoral candidates in fundraising -- he has $427,105.14 cash on hand, according to Rhode Island campaign finance reports, a significant lead over Cuervo who has $213,138.32. But, to date, he can't match Cuervo's endorsement list.
Smiley claims endorsements from one member of the General Assembly Representative -- Edith Ajello -- and three members of the City Council (Councilmembers Michael Correia, JoAnn Ryan and, James Taylor).
Providence Mayoral Candidates on City’s Crime Surge, Police Staffing and Pare’s Future
09.27.2021
Providence mayoral candidate Brett Smiley says, “I have been outspoken about the violence in our city this summer and the need to address it. I appreciate that restoring a sense of public safety includes more than just policing, but it absolutely includes policing. Also, I support the continued expansion of the diversion pilot program. We know that not every 911 call needs a police officer to respond and this program can free up officers to respond to shootings and violent crime.”
Smiley Receives Endorsement From LGBTQ Victory Fund
06.28.2021
Brett Smiley, a Democratic candidate for mayor of Providence in 2022, has won an early and important endorsement.
LGBTQ Victory Fund – the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office – recently announced the endorsement of 10 more LGBTQ candidates for the 2022 election cycle, raising its total number of 2022 endorsed candidates to 14.
Ray-ality TV Episode 17: Brett Smiley (2022 Providence Mayoral Candidate)
04.13.2021
For this episode of Ray-ality TV, I had the honor to interview Brett Smiley who was Governor Raimondo's Chief of Staff, R.I. Director of Administration, and now a 2022 Providence Mayoral Candidate. We covered a wide range of topics ranging from what made him want to run for Mayor to the issues he plans to highlight in the campaign like infrastructure.
Political Roundtable: Smiley on Providence schools, police & his run for mayor
03.26.2021
Brett Smiley, who is among a series of candidates running for mayor of Providence in 2022, is the guest this week on Political Roundtable. Smiley, a Democrat, left his post as director of the state Department of Administration earlier this year.
Pulse of Providence Ep. 10: Brett Smiley
03.22.2021
Weeks after stepping down as director of the R.I. Department of Administration under former Gov. Gina Raimondo, Brett Smiley says he’s now a full-time mayoral candidate until next year’s primary election in Providence.
Brett Smiley just raised big money in the race for Providence mayor
01.28.2021
Brett Smiley is setting the pace in the Providence mayoral race.
The state director of administration and Democratic candidate for mayor of Providence next year is set to report that he raised $170,000 for his campaign in November and December, which included $1,000 contributions from both Governor Gina Raimondo and her husband, Andy Moffit (who aren’t normally max-out donors to politicians).
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Updated: September 3, 2022 All voters, including those who have no primary voting history, need to see online and on social media that Brett Smiley is the only candidate running a positive campaign for Mayor. He thinks it is better to present his ideas to improve Providence than to tear another candidate down. Brett has always stood up for our values. He is pro-choice, was a leader in the fight for marriage equality and has the right experience to lead Providence. |