With a message emphasizing the high cost of living in Rhode Island’s capital city, state Rep. David Morales announced a challenge on Monday to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley in next year’s primary election. “For too long, politicians like Brett Smiley have asked us to trust their experience while working families are struggling to get by,” Morales continued. Formerly a top official in city and state government, Smiley became mayor after winning 42% of the vote in a three-way primary in 2022. Morales began taking college classes while in high school and he settled in Providence after graduate school at Brown University. He said he will fight for a better public transit system in Providence and support the construction of more housing.