The candidates for mayor of Providence shared their views Tuesday night of a proposed skyscraper in the city’s jewelry district, how to solve billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities, and how to improve public schools.
The candidates met at a forum organized by the League of Women Voters and hosted by the University of Rhode Island at its downtown Providence campus. RIPR’s Scott MacKay moderated the debate.
You can listen to the full discussion here:
Four candidates participated in the event, among them three Democrats facing off in a primary next week. They are community organizer Kobi Dennis, incumbent Mayor Jorge Elorza and former Providence Public Schools administrator Robert DeRobbio.
Independent candidate Diane “Dee Dee” Witman, a political fundraiser, also took part in the debate.
A second Independent, Jeffery Lemire, attended the event but declined to participate. Lemire said he saw no reason to debate his opponents until the field has narrowed after the September 12 primary.