PAWTUCKET – Adam Greenman soared to victory in Wednesday’s primary for Pawtucket mayor, doing what candidates in the past several city primaries have failed to come close to.
As part of a general anti-incumbency wave in several major races, including for governor, Greenman had more than 54 percent of the total with most votes counted. David Morales won Providence’s mayoral primary over incumbent Brett Smiley by a similar margin.
He entered victory headquarters at Maven’s Delicatessen shortly after 9 p.m. after getting a call from Grebien conceding the race.
Greenman said he was overwhelmed but so happy. As he walked into Maven’s to loud cheers, his wife, Erin Dube, described him as a “happy warrior.” The winning candidate said he was thrilled to share the moment with all the people who made the win possible, saying it took a lot of hard work.
“We won! Pawtucket, this is your victory. Every door knocked, every conversation, every single vote, it all led here,” he later posted. “To our volunteers, and every one of you who showed up to the polls: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We didn’t just win an election. We showed what this city can do when it comes together. The work starts now, and we couldn’t be more ready. Let’s go. #ANewDayForPawtucket.”
Greenman used a simple messages targeting Grebien for losses of big-name entities such as the PawSox, Hasbro, and Memorial Hospital, that 16 years is too long for any incumbent, as well as the tagline “a new day for Pawtucket” to reverse a trend of larger and larger margins of victory for the 16-year incumbent Grebien. He doubled the mayor’s previous opponent’s total in the last election, taking home a majority of 7,000 voters in an election with unusually high turnout in Pawtucket and statewide.
Grebien consistently pointed out how none of the big-three losses were tied to his actions or lack of action, emphasizing the numerous development projects happening around the city.
In 2024, Camron Segalla, a Greenman backer, got 27 percent of the vote to Grebien’s 73 percent, in 2022 Costantinos Stratis got 30.8 percent compared to 69.2 percent for Grebien, and in 2020, David Norton got 34.5 percent of the total compared to Grebien’s 65.6 percent.
Greenman took in significantly more money for his campaign, and also counted on an organized ground game led by firefighters and former school board members who were previously voted out.
In remarks during a primary watch party at the ACruz Event and Art Gallery on Main Street, Grebien said the result was not what he’d hoped for, but he accepts it. He thanked city residents for exercising their right to vote and making their choice on who will lead the city for the next two years.
Grebien said it has been the honor of his life to lead the community’s transformation from afterthought to destination of now and the future, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished together,” he said.
He congratulated Greenman on his victory, and said he stands ready to help him transition into his role.
“I am deeply humbled and proud of everything we have built together, every challenge we met head-on, and every milestone that moved Pawtucket forward,” he said. “None of it would have been possible without the dedication, resilience, and spirit of the people who call this city home.”
“I have called this city home my whole life, and my love for Pawtucket does not end with an election. This city is a vibrant, compassionate, and resilient place, and I will always remain its biggest champion. Thank you for trusting me with the opportunity to serve you, to listen to you, and to work alongside you for 16 incredible years. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless the city of Pawtucket.”
He thanked everyone on his campaign team and who supported his efforts at re-election, saying he’s proud of the campaign they ran.
More will be added to this story.
