https://www.smileyformayor.com/fl-dd-ty daily 0.75 2022-03-27 https://www.smileyformayor.com/privacy daily 0.75 2026-04-02 https://www.smileyformayor.com/home-offline daily 0.75 2026-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/f3c610cc-2466-4a0c-b162-00a6c1454d42/SMI-LaunchSplashpage_Photos-1.png Brett Smiley for Mayor Over the past decade, Brett has worked hard to build a Providence and Rhode Island that we can all believe in. Once dubbed “the man with the plan” – someone with the ideas, experience and know-how to help Providence businesses and working families succeed – Brett was chosen by Mayor Jorge Elorza to serve as Chief Operating Officer in City Hall. After his time at City Hall, Brett worked hard for the State of Rhode Island, serving both as Chief of Staff to Governor Raimondo and Director of Administration during the state’s robust response to COVID-19, a position he held until March 2021. When Brett first came to Providence from the Chicago area where he grew up, he instantly fell in love with the city – the great restaurants, vibrant neighborhoods, world-class arts and culture, and above all, the people. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/837dfb2f-ef7b-42f6-82dc-4dc30751374e/SMI-LaunchSplashpage_Photos-2.png Brett Smiley for Mayor A product of the public school system and the son of an accountant and preschool teacher, Brett was raised to value fairness and appreciate the importance of education and hard work, and he has applied these values in everything he has done. He believes that Providence has all of the ingredients to be a world class city if we can get back to the basics and get them right. That means addressing quality-of-life in our neighborhoods and requires informed and responsible budget management in all city departments. That means working to make it easier to connect with City Hall for both our small businesses and residents and providing effective city services every time, the first time. That means having a robust economic development plan that supports neighborhood businesses while also strengthening ties to the Boston economic engine. And that means fixing our school buildings so that our students learn in spaces that inspire them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/84d6a445-4fd1-45a3-9bcc-235c826660a1/SMI-LaunchSplashpage_Photos-3.png Brett Smiley for Mayor In addition to connecting with neighbors across the community to discuss issues that are important to them, Brett is active in a number of non-profits, community groups and causes, including Planned Parenthood, for which he raises funds and provides strategic counsel. He has also been deeply involved with Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI), Rhode Island Housing, Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts (RICARES), and the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Brett is a graduate of DePaul University, where he received a finance degree and an M.B.A. He lives on the East Side of Providence with his husband Jim DeRentis, a real estate broker and former community banker. Both Jim and Brett are avid runners and share a deep love of Providence. https://www.smileyformayor.com/issues daily 0.75 2022-03-26 https://www.smileyformayor.com/sustainability daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/42ffad6e-a38f-4bbc-8aaa-5233f0255c0e/IMG_2378.jpg Building a More Sustainable Providence - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.smileyformayor.com/education-and-opportunity daily 0.75 2026-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/595b1f8a-4489-403a-a172-39821a9f6669/IMG_6271.JPG Education & Opportunity - Under his leadership, Providence has invested more than $146 million in school construction projects, breaking ground each year on new state-of-the-art schools designed for 21st-century learning. These projects are part of a broader commitment to ensure that all Providence students learn in new or like-new facilities that are safe, modern, and conducive to academic success. Preparing for the return of PPSD to local control has been a major focus of Brett's education agenda. He convened a series of public conversations and community surveys in which thousands of Providence residents shared their feedback and helped inform the City’s work with district and state partners to strengthen accountability, support school leaders, and align investments with community priorities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/86a28fdb-1dc6-458b-9d3d-7fbb0a301d08/IMG_6682.JPG Education & Opportunity - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.smileyformayor.com/housing daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://www.smileyformayor.com/efficient-and-effective-government daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/2c33005e-d2f8-4949-8bdc-2ff410d548d5/SMI-LaunchSplashpage_Issues-2.png Efficient & Effective Government - During his first term, Brett's administration has made it faster and easier to access city services by collaborating across departments to make City Hall a center for reliable, high-quality services - from digitizing permits, licenses and systems across departments, to launching a revamped and upgraded PVD311 website, to making the Fire Department completely paper-free for the first time in history. https://www.smileyformayor.com/inclusive-economic-development daily 0.75 2026-03-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/ba7f191e-8d56-4465-b6fc-86fd7a8cec1a/IMG_4886.jpg Inclusive Economic Development ] https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/7c869621-9be7-4a86-9e6a-29ca561a594f/IMG_2447.jpg Inclusive Economic Development - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.smileyformayor.com/public-safety daily 0.75 2026-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/3016515d-2a56-4c94-b0d1-7ca6107a62a4/unnamed+%281%29.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/d358b52b-29ea-4a5e-8206-a425bef26b90/GzS6W3pWAAAuNgT.jpeg https://www.smileyformayor.com/news daily 0.75 2023-03-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/695d93b1-26ce-43cd-99ee-9e86e0a9d2cf/image-asset.jpeg Media - Providence mayoral candidates debate schools, quality of life on '10 News Conference' 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.” Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/06f2d985-0869-4e17-9f93-cdbb550525b8/2022-08-22+%281%29.png Media - The first TV ad in the Providence mayoral race is out 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… Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/77148124-8e2b-4936-b69a-9ac10ae810ad/image-asset.jpeg Media - Solomon backs Smiley after exiting Providence mayoral race 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. Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/9eebdf08-3f72-4eee-80b4-579e98036870/image-asset.png Media - Local leaders, groups react to Supreme Court’s draft decision on Roe v. Wade 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.” Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/0cc8f924-3b54-444f-883c-215b33e4fc1e/image-asset.jpeg Media - Brett Smiley campaigns for Providence mayor 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.” Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/a8493897-d42e-4b4a-9a0b-fe0bf50045bf/image-asset.jpeg Media - Providence mayoral candidates discuss platforms in open forum 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.” Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/9964007e-fedc-4479-afc7-af2278261fc0/5LQRYZUNRJAOFCOLSTG4MKNQUM.jpg Media - Watch the candidates for Mayor of Providence discuss the issues 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: Watch Here https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/5ec91810-e266-4886-88bb-445012dc195d/HZSIK5EWKBEK7EWIM5OC3DMAVU.jpg Media - Brett Smiley wants to be the best snow plower in America. Is that enough to make him mayor of Providence? 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. Read More https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/2295f9ba-00c9-40f8-aceb-de9795071882/brett-01-800x450.png Media - Brett Smiley officially kicks off his campaign for Mayor of Providence 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… Watch Here https://www.smileyformayor.com/boston-globe-article-1 daily 0.75 2022-06-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/5ec91810-e266-4886-88bb-445012dc195d/SmileyLaunchingCampaign.jpg The Boston Globe - Make it stand out EDWARD FITZPATRICK/GLOBE STAFF https://www.smileyformayor.com/providence-journal-article-1 daily 0.75 2022-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/5a376c94-7153-40ab-9347-8d4ee9b59709/TPJ_Smiley_Article.png Brett Smiley launches Providence mayoral campaign focusing on plows, policing and pensions - Make it stand out AMY RUSSO https://www.smileyformayor.com/message-for-providence-voters daily 0.75 2022-07-29 https://www.smileyformayor.com/home daily 1.0 2026-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/9d4ad607-e57e-420d-a1b2-ead83e43ee8b/Screenshot+2026-02-27+at+3.36.09%E2%80%AFPM.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/f3c610cc-2466-4a0c-b162-00a6c1454d42/SMI-LaunchSplashpage_Photos-1.png Home The son of a single mom who taught preschool, Brett was raised to value hard work and fairness. He studied business but found his calling in public service—and that led him to Rhode Island, where he met his husband and found his home. For a decade, he’s been serving Rhode Islanders and helping families succeed, first as Chief Operating Officer for our city, then as Chief of Staff to Governor Gina Raimondo, and later as Director of the Department of Administration for the state. Now as Mayor of Providence, Brett has worked to stand up to Trump, build more affordable housing, improve our schools, upgrade city services, and make our streets safer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/84d6a445-4fd1-45a3-9bcc-235c826660a1/SMI-LaunchSplashpage_Photos-3.png Home A longtime advocate for equity, inclusion, and public service, Brett has worked with organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Marriage Equality Rhode Island, and the National Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund over the years. He currently serves on the U.S. Conference of Mayors Advisory Board and co-chairs the national Mayors and Police Chiefs Task Force. Mayor Smiley holds a degree in finance and an MBA from DePaul University. He lives with his husband Jim DeRentis, their dog and two cats. Both Brett and Jim are avid runners. https://www.smileyformayor.com/subscribe daily 0.75 2024-10-04 https://www.smileyformayor.com/protecting-our-immigrant-communities daily 0.75 2026-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62156489e1427761c08fb7d7/5df1c823-9278-404f-a4ba-a932a8dd48f1/2638350410220905842.jpeg Protecting Our Immigrant Communities