Providence mayoral candidates make final push before polls close

By: Samantha Lavien
Slavien@abc6.com
Twitter: @samanthalavien

It has been one of the most heated mayoral races in Providence in years, and now the Democratic candidates vying for the city’s top spot are making their final push before the polls close.

The two leading Democratic candidates are former housing court judge Jorge Elorza and city council president Michael Solomon.

“It’s about experience, it’s about moving the city forward. That’s what we want to do,” said Solomon.

“It can’t be the same politics as always, people want something new, people want a change and that’s what I offer, a fresh perspective where we are bringing together every single part of the city,” said Elorza.

It has been a closely watched campaign mainly centered around which candidate will be able to beat Independent Buddy Cianci in the general election.

Solomon has been city council president for four years, he also owns several small businesses.

He is currently under investigation by the State Ethics Commission for twenty-five alleged violations for failing to disclose business interest, something he has called an inadvertent error.

Meanwhile, his opponent is also facing his own controversy. Questions have been raised about Elorza after a former staffer plagiarized a letter of apology for him concerning Elora’s shoplifting arrest from 19 years ago.

Also running on the Democratic ticket is electrical engineer Chris Young.

The winner of the primary will face Independent Buddy Cianci as well as Republican Dan Harrop.

(C) WLNE-TV 2014