Meet David
David Morales is the child of a single immigrant mom and a lifelong renter who spent his teenage years picking fruits and vegetables. His Mom would tell him in Spanish, "Salir Adelante"... move ahead and work hard.
He took those words to heart and earned his Master’s in Public Affairs from Brown University at 20, becoming the youngest graduate in the program’s history. At 22, he was elected to represent Providence in the Rhode Island State House, making him the youngest Latino State Legislator in America.
As a State Representative for the past six years, David has passed laws to lower the cost of prescription drugs, raise the minimum wage, strengthen protections for immigrants, and increase state aid for Providence Public Schools. Outside of the State House, he’s been actively involved in our community as a T-Ball Coach with Mt. Pleasant Little League, reading to kids at local libraries dressed as Spider-Man, and even stepping into the ring as a professional wrestler.
David is running for Mayor to address our city’s affordability crisis and build a Providence every neighbor can afford and feel safe calling home.
Early Life
David was raised by a single immigrant mother who often worked multiple minimum wage jobs at a time to provide for him and his older sister.
For years, David’s family faced housing insecurity, and it was only after gaining access to public housing and the stability of his mother securing a unionized job that they were finally able to build a more secure life. As an ESL student, David was grateful to receive support from social workers and speech specialists.
Those experiences gave David a lasting appreciation for public services and inspired his belief that every child deserves access to opportunity, support, and fully staffed schools that can help change the trajectory of their lives.
Professional Career
Mentored and supported students as a Behavioral Specialist at a Providence middle school
Served as a support coach for young adults navigating Year Up, a local workforce training program
Led diversity recruitment efforts as Director of Admission, Diversity Recruitment and Access at Roger Williams University
Managed community leadership programs for bilingual adults across Olneyville, Valley, and Manton as Director of Community Programs at the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
Public Service
In 2020, David was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives at 22 years old, becoming the youngest Latino to ever serve in a state legislature.
While serving as a State Representative for six years, David has fought for state laws to improve the lives of working people and families.
Banned rental application fees
Raised the minimum wage to $17 by 2027
Expanded medical coverage to all children regardless of immigration status
Increased funding for our Providence Public Schools
Banned the predatory practice of payday lending
Lowered the costs of prescription drugs, such as Insulin and Specialty Prescriptions
Outside of legislative action, David has stood with workers striking for a fair contract at Butler Hospital, been a forceful advocate to save RIPTA from devastating budget cuts, and has stood up against RI Energy’s proposals to increase utility rates.
Mayoral Campaign
After seeing city leadership fail to provide adequate support for his neighbors, David decided it was time to challenge the status quo and run to become the next Mayor of Providence.
During a winter emergency, David partnered with City Councilor and community members to open and support a community warming center for several days at City Hall. This experience made it abundantly clear how many of our neighbors, especially our most vulnerable, were being failed by the mayor’s office.
All across Providence, working families are being pushed out of our due to rising rents, property tax hikes, and a lack of investments in our schools and public services. As a State Representative, David has fought to address these issues, but it became undeniable that at the scale of this crisis, it demands immediate action.
“I’m running for Mayor because I love our city and I know that together we can build a Providence all our neighbors can afford and feel safe calling home. As a lifelong renter raised by a single immigrant mom, I’ll fight for working families by capping rent hikes at 4%, strengthening our public schools, and holding ICE accountable when they violate our laws.”
In the Community
Outside of advocacy, David shows up for our community.
Whether he’s coaching the “Morales Mets” T-Ball Team at Mt. Pleasant Little League or dressing up as Spider-Man for a storytime at one of our local libraries — everything David does is rooted in his love for Providence!