Michael Solomon drops out of Providence mayoral race in 'tough decision'

PROVIDENCE -- Mayoral candidate Michael Solomon has dropped out of the race, he confirmed to the Providence Journal on Thursday.

The Democrat cited a desire to spend more time with family, and process the loss of his father, who died in February.

"I was very close with him," Solomon said. "That was one obstacle I thought I could get over, and I haven’t been able to get over that obstacle, and it’s kind of put a damper on me."

Solomon, former president of the Providence City Council, hasn't held any public events recently, and due to his father's passing, had to skip the first mayoral forum, which was held by Rhode Island College in March.

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"It was a tough decision to make, but in the end I had to make it and just move forward," Solomon said, having made his choice after conversations with his family.

His departure narrows the field to three contenders: Brett Smiley, a former top aide to former Gov. Gina Raimondo, Gonzalo Cuervo, former deputy secretary of state and former chief of staff to Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, and Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune of Ward 3.

Though Solomon hasn't yet endorsed any candidate, he appears poised to back Smiley, who he feels aligns with his politics.

"He’s more of a moderate type of candidate, and I tend to be more of a moderate type," Solomon said.

It's not yet clear how Smiley would respond to that support. In 2014, when Mayor Jorge Elorza launched a successful bid to defeat former Mayor Buddy Cianci, Smiley dropped out of the race to offer Elorza his support. At the time, Solomon was also in the pack of candidates, and Smiley criticized his candidacy.

"In recent weeks, it has become clear that it will be an enormous step backward for Michael Solomon to lead this city," Smiley said that year. "Jorge and I knew we needed to take [action] to make sure that didn’t happen."

Looking back, Solomon told the Journal he's not dwelling on it, and that he's faced worse remarks that those Smiley delivered.

"It's politics," he said. "He might've did what he thought was best back then."

In a tweet Thursday afternoon, Smiley offered a different message from his stance in 2014.

"I’ve worked with and gotten to know Michael very well over the years," Smiley wrote. "I admire his deep roots in our city and the deep respect the community has for him. Providence is stronger because of his service."

Solomon feels education and public safety remain the city's most pressing issues, which each candidate has discussed with some degree of similarity, from supporting community policing to criticizing the state takeover of public schools.

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However, having left politics and sold his Olneyville restaurant, Wes' Rib House, in February, Solomon plans to focus his attention on his home life.

"I’m planning on spending more time with the family and the grandchildren," he said. "That’s probably going to be my priority moving forward."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence mayor race: Solomon drops out, leaving 3 contenders