Providence City Council Ward 9 · Nov 3, 2026
Diego Tomas Arene Morley
Candidate for City Council Ward 9
Diego Tomas Arene Morley is running for Providence City Council Ward 9 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Juan M. Pichardo.
Mail ballot application deadline · Tue, Oct 13, 2026
Teacher and clinical social worker who lives in Providence's Elmwood neighborhood. He serves on the board of one of the only fully bilingual schools in Providence.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Independent - For All Neighbors
- Campaign website
- diegoforallneighbors.com
Where Diego Tomas Arene Morley stands: positions on the record
Rent stabilization1 sourced position
from Steve Ahlquist's transcript of the Ward 9 forum, edited for clarity by the publisher
Said renters need relief but raised concern that the rent stabilization ordinance would slow permitting for new housing, which he calls the long-term solution.
“My concern with the rent stabilization ordinance is that we would actually slow down the permitting process for new builds.”
Forum answerSteveAhlquist.news · Sep 22, 2026
Land and property taxes1 sourced position
from Steve Ahlquist's transcript of the Ward 9 forum, edited for clarity by the publisher
Proposes taxing vacant land and unused parking lots at a higher rate to push owners to build housing.
“We should tax empty lots; there are huge lots along Elmwood Avenue, which is a public transportation corridor.”
Forum answerSteveAhlquist.news · Sep 22, 2026
Bilingual schools1 sourced position
from Steve Ahlquist's transcript of the Ward 9 forum, edited for clarity by the publisher
Calls bilingual education his top issue and wants 30%, and eventually 50%, of Providence elementary schools to be bilingual.
“we need to get to 30%, and eventually 50%, of our elementary schools being bilingual.”
Forum answerSteveAhlquist.news · Sep 22, 2026
Campaign platform1 sourced position
Campaign site lists bilingual public education, housing density and ownership, solar power, and mental health and addiction services as priorities.
“A local community campaign for Ward 9 Providence City Council to rapidly expand bilingual public education, housing density and ownership, cheap solar power, and public services for mental health and addiction.”
Own statementDiego For All Neighbors (campaign site)
Surveillance technology1 sourced position
from Steve Ahlquist's transcript of the Ward 9 forum, edited for clarity by the publisher
Supports noise and speed cameras but wants the council to subpoena camera vendors to explain how they store and use data.
“The city council has the power to subpoena people, so we should subpoena these companies and ask, “What are you doing with this data?””
Forum answerSteveAhlquist.news · Sep 22, 2026
Emergency response1 sourced position
as reported by The Providence Eye; not a direct quote
Wants more social workers and community health professionals involved in emergency responses, especially domestic violence calls, to better protect vulnerable residents.
Forum answerThe Providence Eye · Sep 3, 2026
Eviction prevention1 sourced position
as reported by The Providence Eye; not a direct quote
Proposed expanding access to legal help for tenants facing eviction.
Forum answerThe Providence Eye · Sep 3, 2026
Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Providence City Council, Ward 9, in 2022 on the FAN party line (lost).
Own statementRhode Island 2022 general election results, Providence · Nov 8, 2022
Also running for City Council Ward 9
- Juan M. Pichardo (incumbent)
Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
See something wrong? Report an error
Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.