State Representative David Morales has already started building his team at Providence City Hall, weeks before voters even head to the polls in next month's general election. The 28-year-old democratic socialist has named June Rose as executive director and Jenn Steinfeld as director of operations to lead his transition, signaling just how seriously his campaign is treating what many see as a near-certain path to the mayor's office.
Morales is widely considered a heavy favorite to become Providence's next mayor, according to The Boston Globe, and he'll face Republican Dave Talan in next month's general election after winning the Democratic primary. The Globe reports that he's already beginning the transition process to City Hall, with Rose becoming executive director and Steinfeld being the director of operations. Rose currently serves as chief of staff of the Providence City Council, a post she plans to take a leave of absence from in order to run the transition.
Steinfeld, meanwhile, most recently served as field director for Morales's campaign in the Democratic primary. The Globe's reporting identifies Rose as executive director and Steinfeld as director of operations for the transition. Rose serves as chief of staff of the Providence City Council.
A Resume Pipeline for a Potential Administration
Morales has begun the transition process for a potential administration. His rise has been remarkable by any measure: last month, the same Globe reporting notes, he became the first candidate in Providence history to unseat an incumbent mayor in a primary, earning more Democratic primary votes than any candidate for mayor since Joe Paolino's first victory in 1984.
That primary win against Mayor Brett Smiley made national headlines beyond Rhode Island. The democratic socialist movement surging across major cities this summer notched another win in Providence, according to the Washington Post. A separate Globe profile of his campaign operation described its grassroots organizing, volunteer operation and use of social-media videos.
Scrutiny Ahead for a New Mayor
Despite the momentum, Morales's hiring decisions may draw scrutiny as he pursues a bold progressive agenda.
Still, Morales has signaled some continuity with the outgoing administration. He has indicated a willingness to retain some of Mayor Brett Smiley's top appointees, including Police Chief Colonel Oscar Perez and Providence Emergency Management Agency director Clara Decerbo, per the Globe's reporting. That mix of disruption and pragmatism may define how his first months in office take shape, assuming he prevails over Talan next month.
