On Tuesday evening, Jill Davidson ’89 won the four-way Democratic primary for Providence City Council’s Ward 2 seat, which represents the Blackstone, College Hill and Wayland neighborhoods. As of 9:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Davidson secured 49.11% of the total vote, winning all three Ward 2 precincts, according to results posted by the Rhode Island Board of Elections.
She is slated to face current student and Republican candidate Alex Brito ’26 in the Dec. 2 general election, which will fill the seat former City Councilor Helen Anthony vacated in September. Providence has not elected a Republican candidate to City Council in 39 years.
Davidson ran against David Caldwell, Jeff Levy and Matt McDermott for the Democratic nomination. Each candidate spent over $30,000 in the City Council race, the Boston Globe reported.
During a forum held on campus last month, Davidson stressed the need to reform Providence public schools and expressed support for a City Council ordinance amendment that would strengthen restrictions on Providence Police Department cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In her campaign, Davidson has also emphasized a commitment to climate action and housing reform. Leading up to the primary, she was the only Democratic candidate to support rent stabilization. She has been endorsed by Climate Action R.I., Reclaim R.I., Anthony and Rhode Island State Senator Sam Zurier (D-Providence), among others. Davidson did not endorse Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, who is up for reelection next year.
Davidson is the development and communications director at environmental nonprofit Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council. She has also served on the boards of several nonprofits, including the Jewish Community Center and Temple Emanu-el.
“Community, culture and affordability” brought Davidson’s family to Providence over two decades ago, her website reads. “After two decades of advocacy in Providence, … I’m ready to bring my skills and experience to City Hall.”
In a public statement celebrating the primary win, Davidson discussed her campaign priorities. “Parents want excellent schools for their children. Homeowners are concerned about property taxes, and tenants are worried about rising rents,” she wrote. “Young people wonder if they’ll ever afford to live in their hometown.”
“Whether I earned your vote or not,” she wrote in the statement, “you can count on me to listen.”
Annika Singh is The Herald’s tech chief and a metro editor from Singapore. She covers crime, justice and local politics, but mainly she stands in line for coffee and looks up answers every time she attempts a crossword.
